BILASPUR(Metro Rail News): A collision took place on Tuesday evening (4 November) between the Korba passenger train and a stationary goods train near Lalkhadan in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, along the Bilaspur–Howrah main line of the South East Central Railway (SECR). The incident resulted in derailment and damage to rolling stock and overhead equipment in the affected section. The impact resulted in the derailment of multiple coaches and damage to railway infrastructure in the section.
According to preliminary information, several passengers have sustained injuries, and there are unconfirmed reports of casualties. Railway and local administration officials have yet to release the official figures. Following the incident, rescue and medical relief teams from the Railway’s Accident Relief Train (ART) and Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME) units were promptly mobilised from nearby stations. Cranes and track machines have been deployed to remove derailed coaches and clear the affected line section.
Train movement on the Bilaspur–Howrah corridor, one of the busiest routes connecting eastern and central India, has been completely suspended. Several express and freight services have been cancelled, short-terminated, or diverted through alternate routes to manage operational flow. The overhead traction (OHE) system, signalling circuits, and track alignment in the affected block have sustained damage, which railway officials estimate may take several hours to restore.
The incident highlights the urgent need for the implementation of Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems such as Kavach to prevent collisions across Indian Railways’ network.
