Train services have resumed in Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore after over 50 hours since one of the deadliest train tragedies occurred in the area. The accident claimed the lives of 275 people and injured more than 1,000 passengers. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) reported that the empty goods train was the first train to run on the up-line, which was damaged in the accident. It ran on the same track that the Coromandel Express was travelling on before it collided head-on with a stationary goods train.
The restoration work on the down-line was completed on Sunday night, and the first train movement in the section took place after Railway Minister Aswani Vaishnaw personally supervised the restoration process. A coal-laden goods train from Vizag port also started its journey towards Rourkela Steel Plant after completing the restoration work on the track. On Monday, the Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express crossed the track, and passengers on the train witnessed the aftermath of the tragic incident.
However, two trains, the Puri Patna Baidyanath Dham Express and Khurda Kharagpur Express, were canceled on Monday due to insufficient rakes. ECoR sources confirmed that the up-line, which was also severely damaged in the accident, was restored a few hours after the down-line.
It is worthwhile to mention that the scene at the accident site was heart-wrenching, with the completely mangled coaches lying on both sides of the track. Over 1,000 workers have worked tirelessly to restore the tracks, which have enabled the resumption of train services after the ghastly train tragedy.
