Odisha: Puri-Surat Train Derails After Hitting Elephant

Bhubaneshwar, 21 December 2020: Puri-Surat Express train (02827) engine derailed today in the Sambalpur division. This accident occurred due to the collision of the elephant. The accident occurred near Bhabanipali village between Hatibari and Maneshwar railway stations at 2.04 am.

Six wheels of the train’s engine derailed after the accident. The passengers and the loco pilot on the train have not suffered any injuries. All are safe, informed East Coast Railway officials.

According to Railways, the train left from Hatibari at a speed of 50 km/h. Caution had already been issued regarding elephants’ movement. All the wheels of the engine front trolley derailed due to the accident.

All senior officials including Sambalpur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Pradeep Kumar reached the spot. According to the East Coast Railway, “only six wheels derailed. No one is known to have died or been injured. Engines are secured with driver and assistant driver. Forest Department officials reached the spot and took information related to the incident from DRM of Sambalpur, and other senior railway officials.

02827 express train runs from Puri to Surat in Gujarat via Raipur and Nagpur. The train runs only once a week at 7.45 pm on Sunday. After covering a distance of 1756 km, it reaches Surat at 3.20 am on Tuesday. The train has 22 coaches.