Two trains have collided at a railway station in Telangana
At least 12 people were injured after two trains collided with each other near Hyderabad's Kacheguda Railway Station this morning. The injured have been shifted to the Osmania General Hospital; two of the injured have already been discharged. No deaths have been reported so far. The driver of one of the trains has been trapped amid the wreckage. According to news agency PTI, he has been supplied with oxygen and on-the-spot medical aid while authorities work to safely extricate him.
The crash was initially believed to have been caused by a technical fault. However, preliminary investigations suggest it was a manual error that led to the collision, according to a report by news agency ANI that quoted BB Singh, Additional-General Manager of South Central Railway.
Fortunately, both trains were traveling at low speeds so the impact was reduced.
"Six coaches of the MMTS service and three coaches of the Hundry Express have been damaged. The 12 passengers were rushed to Osmania General Hospital, of whom two were discharged," South Central Railway said in a press release.
The Railway Ministry has announced compensation of Rs 5,000 each to passengers with minor injuries and Rs 25,000 each to passengers having grievous injuries.
"All passengers were jolted by its impact. The children were badly affected," one of the passengers was quoted as saying by news agency IANS. "Several passengers hit their heads and knees with the opposite seats resulting in bleeding," another said.
The accident led to South Central Railway to partially cancel at least 20 trains
Railways Minister Piyush Goel has tweeted, saying he has directed the relevant authorities to offer all possible assistance.
"Received the tragic news of the train accident in Hyderabad & immediate instructions have been given to the authorities for assistance & monitoring. Railway administration is extending assistance & have made arrangements for the treatment of the injured at the accident site," Mr Goyal tweeted.
A high-level inquiry into the collision has been ordered.
Meanwhile Karnataka Congress has criticised the centre over the accident, reminding the government to focus on improving existing rail infrastructure before moving on to more ambitious dreams like a bullet train.
"We pray for speedy recovery of all those injured. Instead of @BJP4India nursing Bullet train dreams, they should concentrate (on) improving existing services & safety of passengers," the tweet read.
One of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election promises has been to build India's first bullet train. To that end construction on a 508-kilometre stretch between Ahmadabad and Mumbai, which will have 12 stations, has begun.
With input from PTI, IANS