Eighteen coal-laden wagons of a goods train derailed between Richuguta and Demu railway stations in latehar district on Sunday early morning. The derailment occurred on the up line, however, the accident has affected rail traffic on the down line also. The incident occurred at the place under Dhanbad railway division.
No official word came on the cause of mishap, but the sources hinted at a fracture in track of the up line that led to the derailment. GM East Central Railway AK Mittal from Hajipur in Bihar reached the site by his observation car at Daltonganj railway station in afternoon and went to the site later. Railway officials said wreckage removal from the tracks was in full swing and by late night it was expected to open the down line for traffic.
Since Richughutta is considered hotbed of the Maoists and other splinter organisations, railway officials are keeping fingers crossed about their involvement into the incident. An RPF official said had there been naxals’ involvement, there would have been a blast.
Station Master of Daltonganj railway station GP Hansda said five trains including Ranchi-Delhi Rajdhani express would not come to Daltonganj on Sunday night due to the diversion. The other diverted trains are Ajmer-Ranchi, Howarah-Jabalpur, Tata (Up & Dn) Jammu Tawai express.
According to Hansda, Palamu express and Chopan-Barkakana will terminate at Barwadeeh railway junction while three passengers’ trains for Gomoh, Moghulsarai and Dehri on Sone stand cancelled.
The diversion, cancellation and short term termination of trains in this wedding season has left the passengers high and dry. Some passengers were forced to adopt road route to reach their destinations. Railway sources said the ECR has set up an enquiry into this derailment.