Major train accident averted in Bengal

After two major train disasters occurred in Uttar Pradesh and Assam killing scores of people, a major train accident was averted in West Bengal’s Hooghly district this morning, when two trains came on the same track.

While the Bandel Katwa EMU local was entering Balagarh station in Howrah division of Eastern Railway, Sealdah-bound Hatey Bazare Express came on the same track, a railway spokesperson said.

However, upon seeing another train approaching, the driver of the Hatey Bazare Express disregarded the green signal and stopped the train, averting a collision, the spokesman said.

Train services in the section suffered delay for about two and half hours due to the incident, he added.

The railways have initiated an investigation into the incident, the spokesman said, adding that responsibility would be fixed on the persons after the probe.

The incident occurred two days after major train disasters occurred in Uttar Pradesh and Assam and a day after another one was averted in Bihar. Sixty-eight people were reportedly killed in the Uttar Pradesh train mishap.