Following the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in Gonda, which claimed three lives and injured 30, Project Director of the Relief Commissioner Office, Aditi Umrao, confirmed that relief efforts are being conducted on a war footing. Teams from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) have been deployed.
“Adequate ambulances, three SDRF teams, and two NDRF teams have been deployed under the supervision of the District Magistrate (DM) and other officers. Helpline numbers have been issued, and the Rahat Helpline 1070 is operational 24×7. We are receiving calls from family members. Additionally, two more numbers have been activated,” Umrao said.
Umrao emphasized that all necessary facilities are being provided for the families of those injured in the accident. “The DM is present at the site, ensuring water and other essentials are available for relatives. All the injured have been hospitalized, and specialized care will be provided if needed,” she added.
Regarding the rescue operations, Umrao stated, “The rescue operation is nearing completion as all the coaches have been thoroughly searched by the SDRF teams.”
The derailment occurred near Gonda station, between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations under the jurisdiction of North Eastern Railway, affecting 4-5 coaches of the Dibrugarh Express from the front. Medical teams and senior officials from the Lucknow division of NER rushed to the site immediately.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath confirmed that the injured have been taken to hospitals and assured they will receive proper treatment. He directed officials to expedite the relief work and expressed his sorrow over the incident. “The train accident in Gonda district is extremely sad. District administration officials have been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to take the injured to the hospital on top priority and provide them with proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Adityanath wrote in a post on X.
The Ministry of Railways has announced ex gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injuries, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. In addition to a Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inquiry, a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the derailment.
