The Ministry of Railways has formed a five-member committee of senior officials to investigate the tragic train incident near Jalgaon, Maharashtra, where 12 passengers lost their lives after being struck by the Karnataka Express. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the passengers of the Mumbai-bound Pushpak Express disembarked onto the tracks following an alarm-chain pulling incident.
Investigation Details
The committee, comprising higher administrative grade (HAG) officials from the Central Railway, includes the Principal Chief Safety Officer (PCSO), Principal Chief Security Commissioner (PCSC), Principal Chief Electrical Engineer (PCEE), Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer (PCME), and Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM). The PCSO will act as the committee’s convenor. According to a senior Railway Ministry official, the inquiry will focus on the cause of the incident, including whether a false fire rumor or other factors led passengers to alight onto the tracks. “Prima facie, the reason appears to be chain pulling. There was smoke in the train due to the sudden braking, but it was not a fire. The committee will question passengers and analyze whether the panic stemmed from a miscommunication or a baseless rumor,” the official said. The tragedy unfolded within seconds as passengers exited on the wrong side of the train onto a 1.7-meter-wide track. A curvature in the tracks, measuring nearly two degrees, obstructed visibility for both the passengers and the loco pilot of the Karnataka Express.
Chain of Events
The incident occurred between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora town, approximately 400 kilometers from Mumbai. Witnesses reported that panic ensued after someone allegedly pulled the train’s emergency chain, causing it to stop. Amid the confusion, some passengers believed there was a fire onboard, leading them to disembark. Tragically, as they attempted to cross the tracks, they were hit by the Karnataka Express traveling in the opposite direction. Shaukat Ali, a worker from Nepal who was among the survivors, recounted the chaos: “There was a rumor of fire. We saw smoke in the bogie and thought it was dangerous. When the train slowed down, we stepped off the train. Suddenly, another train came from the opposite direction before we could react. We found a small space between the two trains and laid down there, holding each other tightly. That’s how we survived.”
Identified Victims and Compensation
Of the 12 deceased passengers, 10 have been identified so far. The victims include seven Nepali nationals, among them: Kamala Navin Bhandari (43), resident of Colaba, Mumbai, Javakala Bhate (60), resident of Bhiwandi, Thane, Lachchiram Khataru Pasi (40), Imtiyaz Ali (11). The Central Railway has arranged for the transport of the bodies of Nepali victims in coordination with local authorities. Families of the deceased were given an ex gratia payment of ₹50,000 each, as part of the ₹1.5 lakh compensation announced. The remaining amount will be distributed at a later date. Injured passengers with severe injuries received ₹50,000 each, while those with minor injuries were given ₹5,000.
Hospital Updates
Out of the 15 injured passengers, 10 are undergoing treatment—nine at Pachora Civil Hospital and one at a medical facility in Jalgaon city. The remaining passengers, who sustained minor injuries, have been discharged. The Railway Board’s Executive Director of Information and Publicity, Dilip Kumar, clarified that there was no fire or spark inside the coach that prompted the chain pulling. Instead, it is believed that a tea seller on the Pushpak Express spread the fire rumor, triggering panic among passengers. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called the incident “a sheer rumor” that led to unnecessary chaos.
Commission of Railway Safety’s Role
The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS), which operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has statutory powers to investigate railway accidents. However, the CRS will not take up this case as it has been classified as an “incident” rather than an “accident,” according to official sources.
Moving Forward
This tragic event highlights the critical need for better safety protocols and communication during emergency situations on trains. The five-member committee will aim to uncover the exact sequence of events and propose measures to prevent such incidents in the future. As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, the Ministry of Railways has assured that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure justice for the victims and their families while enhancing passenger safety on India’s vast railway network.
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