Avadh Assam Express Collides with Railway Trolley in Katihar, Bihar; One Dead, Four Injured
Avadh Assam Express: A tragic railway accident occurred in Katihar district, Bihar. The Avadh Assam Express collided with a railway trolley on the Barauni-Katihar rail section of the Sonpur railway division. The accident took place near Maharani Kudiya, between Semapur and Kadhagola Road stations in Katihar district.
The trolley man, Pramod Kumar Yadav, died at the scene, while four other railway employees sustained serious injuries.
Accident Occurs While Returning from Bridge Repair Work
Reports indicate that the employees were returning from repair work on a railway bridge near Boroghat. After completing the repairs, they were returning on the up line via trolley. Upon receiving information about an approaching passenger train from Katihar, the trolley was moved to the down line. However, the employees were unaware that the Avadh Assam Express had already departed on the same line.
Trolley Dragged for a Kilometer After Collision
The accident occurred near pole number 16-16 near Maharani Kudiya, where the railway track has a sharp curve. The high-speed Avadh Assam Express collided head-on with the trolley. The impact was so severe that the train's engine dragged the trolley for approximately one kilometer. Trolley man Pramod Kumar Yadav died instantly.
Injured Employees in Critical Condition
The injured employees have been identified as Dhananjay Kumar, Suraj Kumar (trolley man), Aditya Kumar, and Manoj Kumar, all from the PWAY (Permanent Way) department. They were initially taken to the Barari Community Health Centre and later referred to Katihar Medical College. Their condition is reported to be critical.
Investigation into the Causes of the Accident Begins
The railway administration has launched an investigation into the accident. Preliminary investigations suggest that communication failure and lack of coordination with traffic control were the primary causes. Railway safety agencies are inspecting the accident site and recording statements from officials.
Public Outrage
Following the accident, local residents gathered at the scene, expressing anger at the railway's negligence and questioning the frequency of such accidents. They demanded better coordination between trolley operations and train movements to prevent future incidents.
Demand for Compensation for the Deceased Employee's Family
The family and colleagues of the deceased, Pramod Kumar Yadav, are grieving and have demanded appropriate compensation and the appointment of a dependent to a job within the railway administration. While no official compensation has yet been announced by the railways, departmental sources indicate that assistance will be provided to the family soon.
The railway administration stated that rail traffic was affected for a short time after the incident, but the line was cleared after the trolley was removed, and rail traffic resumed normally.
