Drilling Machine Collides with Shalimar-LTT Express Near Urkura, Injuring Three Passengers

Raipur: A drilling machine collided with the coaches of the Shalimar-LTT Express near Urkura station, injuring three passengers on Sunday. The incident, attributed to alleged negligence by the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL), required the injured to be treated at a private hospital. Among the injured was a minor.

The incident occurred approximately 10 kilometers from Raipur, at Urkura station, which falls under the South East Central Railway (SECR) Raipur division. According to an SECR official press release, a contractor from CSPDCL was drilling under the railway line without notifying railway authorities. During the drilling, the head of the machine struck the windows of AC coaches B-4, B-5, and B-6, causing them to shatter.

The injured included Narayan Chand Bag, a 30-year-old OBHS (cleaning staff) member, and Devari Lal Dhivar, a 30-year-old passenger who sustained hand injuries. A 12-year-old passenger traveling with family from Kharagpur to LTT suffered an injury near the eye. After receiving treatment, the minor and his family were provided tickets by the railway to continue their journey to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus via the Visakhapatnam-LTT Express.

A team of doctors and an ambulance provided first aid and transported the injured passengers to Narayana Hospital within five minutes of the train’s arrival at Raipur station. The condition of the injured passengers is reported to be stable.

Upon being informed of the incident, Divisional Railway Manager Sanjeev Kumar, along with Additional Divisional Railway Manager for Infrastructure Ashish Mishra and Additional Divisional Railway Manager for Operations R.K. Sahu, arrived at Raipur station. Immediately after the Shalimar-LTT Express arrived at 10:20 am, station staff, including Commercial Inspectors, Senior Publicity Inspectors, and Railway Protection Force personnel, assisted the passengers. The train departed Raipur station at 11:40 am after confirming the safety of all passengers.

Divisional Railway Manager Sanjeev Kumar visited Narayana Hospital to meet the injured passengers and their families. He expressed satisfaction with the care provided and instructed the Chief Medical Superintendent to ensure proper and swift medical attention. He also directed the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager to arrange an ex-gratia payment for the injured passengers.

Afterward, safety and other divisional officials, along with a team from the headquarters, inspected the incident site. The Railway Protection Force has filed a case to take action against those responsible. CSPDCL officials were summoned to the site, where they admitted that the contractor was working without adhering to the necessary standards. Detailed information will be provided following a thorough investigation.

The incident occurred when the drilling machine’s soft head emerged above ground and struck the rail coach, injuring the passengers. Devari Lal Dhivar received an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 from Assistant Commercial Manager Avinash Kumar Anand on behalf of his father, Khuman Lal Dhivar.

The Divisional Railway Manager has ordered an investigation into the incident, emphasizing that passenger safety and security are top priorities. Additionally, the headquarters has ordered a Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level inquiry to prevent such occurrences in the future.

Meanwhile, CSPDCL Managing Director R.K. Shukla stated that the work was carried out by a CSEB contractor. A joint survey was conducted before commencing the work. “We cannot say the work was unauthorized,” he said.