Balasore: Sunday marks one year since the horrific three-train Bahanaga accident. On this day last year, three trains – two passenger trains and a cargo train – collided at Bahanaga at around 7.00 pm. It was a Black Friday for many and the screams of the victims ring in the ears of many eyewitnesses even today.
At around 7 o’clock that evening, the Coromandel Express from Howrah rammed against a stationary goods train near Bahanaga label crossing – not far from Bahanaga railway station. The accident was so violent that the Coromandel Express hit the goods train and then hit the last two coaches of the oncoming Yashwantpur Express from Howrah on the adjacent railway track.
Two coaches of Yashwantpur Express were badly damaged. In this accident, 290 people lost their lives and more than 900 passengers were injured. Immediately after the news of the train accident was broadcast, thousands of people rushed to the spot. With the help of local people and some voluntary organisations, many people were rescued and sent to the nearest hospital. Many people were trapped under the carriage of the train. The state government and the Central government immediately extended their helping hands.
As daylight broke, the accident scene shocked many people. A father was looking for his son’s body among the corpses, and someone else was looking for his relative from one hospital to another. The Railways and CBI launched separate investigations into the accident and arrested three persons. In fact, many lives were lost allegedly due to negligence of duty. Out of them, 28 dead bodies were not identified.
Following the accident, many leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and Chief Ministers of different states visited the spot and made many promises to the locals. While the school grounds and medical center have been shifted, the promises made by the leaders are still underwater. The condition of Bahanaga railway station remains neglected, and the approach road to the station is dilapidated. The promised flyover is yet to materialise. Despite repeated complaints, the situation remains pathetic.
