Bilaspur: At least eight people, including the loco pilot, were killed and 14 others injured after a passenger train allegedly overshot a red signal and rammed into a stationary goods train near Bilaspur station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
The tragic accident occurred around 4 pm when the MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) passenger train, heading from Gevra (Korba district) to Bilaspur, collided with the goods train on the Howrah–Mumbai route between Gatora and Bilaspur stations.
The impact was so severe that one of the passenger train’s coaches mounted onto a wagon of the goods train. Rescue teams said two to three passengers were still feared trapped inside the mangled wreckage.
“So far, eight deaths have been confirmed. Efforts are on to rescue those trapped,” Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal said, adding that gas cutters were being used to clear the debris.
The injured were shifted to Apollo Hospital and the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur, where one of them remains in critical condition.
A senior railway official said the passenger train hit the goods train from behind at a speed of about 60–70 kmph after crossing a red signal. “It’s under investigation why the loco pilot overshot the signal and failed to apply emergency brakes even though the goods train was visible ahead,” the official added.
The loco pilot, Vidya Sagar, died in the crash, while assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained serious injuries. The guard of the goods train jumped out of the brake van moments before impact, escaping with minor injuries.
Railway authorities have mobilised all resources for rescue and relief operations. The South Eastern Central Railway (SECR) has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased, ₹5 lakh to the seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh to those with minor injuries.
A detailed inquiry will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to determine the exact cause of the mishap.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep grief over the tragedy and announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. He said rescue teams from the district administration and Railways were working “with full dedication” and that all necessary medical facilities were being provided.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as passengers screamed for help after the collision. One injured woman, who was travelling to Bilaspur from Akaltara, said, “Before I could understand what happened, the train crashed into the goods train. My leg got trapped under the seat, and I was rescued after some time.”
Local villagers rushed to the spot after hearing the loud noise and helped begin rescue efforts before officials arrived.
The accident also disrupted train movement on the busy Howrah–Mumbai route, leading to several services being rescheduled.
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu and BJP MLA Dharamlal Kaushik later visited CIMS Hospital to meet the injured passengers.
