Bilaspur Train Accident: Death Toll Rises to 11, ₹5 Lakh Ex Gratia Announced

| The Vagabond News]

Tragic Collision Claims 11 Lives, Dozens Injured in Chhattisgarh

In a devastating railway accident near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, at least 11 people have lost their lives, and over 25 sustained injuries after two goods trains collided on Wednesday night. The tragic incident occurred near Bainkuthpur under the South East Central Railway zone, leading to widespread disruption of train services and an immediate rescue operation.

Rescue Operations and Relief Efforts

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Railway Police, and local authorities rushed to the spot, pulling passengers from mangled coaches and clearing debris under floodlights. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that relief trains and medical teams had been dispatched within hours.

The injured have been admitted to Bilaspur District Hospital and nearby medical facilities. Officials stated that many of the victims were workers and railway staff on duty when the accident occurred.

Government Response and Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the loss of lives. The Railway Ministry has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹1 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries.

Preliminary Cause Under Investigation

According to initial reports, the collision may have been caused by a signal failure or human error, though officials have not ruled out a technical malfunction. A high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause.

Rail Traffic Restored Gradually

Several trains on the Bilaspur–Katni line were canceled or diverted as engineers worked overnight to restore movement on the damaged section. The Railways has assured that normal operations will resume soon, with safety checks being prioritized.

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