20 coaches of Sabarmati Express derail near Kanpur, Railways hints at sabotage
Kanpur, August 17
Twenty coaches of the Ahmedabad-bound Sabarmati Express passenger train derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur early Saturday after the engine hit an “object placed on the track”. Agencies are investigating the possible involvement of anti-social elements in the incident, railway officials said. There were no casualties in the derailment that occurred between Kanpur and Bhimsen railway stations at around 2.35 am, disrupting traffic on the route.
According to the Railways, seven trains were cancelled and three were diverted due to the derailment. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Intelligence Bureau and Uttar Pradesh Police were looking into the incident and arrangements were being made for the onward journey of passengers. In a post on X, Vaishnaw said: “The engine of Sabarmati Express (Varanasi to Amdavad) hit an object on the track and derailed near Kanpur at 2.35 am today. Sharp hit marks are observed. Evidence is protected. IB and UP police are also working on it. No injuries to passengers or staff. Train arranged for passengers for onward journey to Amdavad.”
Kanpur Police Commissioner Akhil Kumar said it “is premature to reach a conclusion on whether it is an accident or an act of mischief, but it could be anything”. Railway Board officials said the involvement of miscreants or anti-social elements is being looked into as prima facie it appears that the engine hit an object “placed on the track”. — PTI
