At least 13 people lost their lives and 10 were injured in a tragic accident involving the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express near Pachora town in North Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. The incident occurred when someone pulled the alarm chain around 4:45 pm, causing the train to stop abruptly.
Railway officials confirmed that the train driver followed protocol, activating the flasher light and applying brakes. The curvature of the track, nearly two degrees, obstructed visibility and reduced braking distance, complicating efforts to avoid the accident.
Central PRO Swapnil Nila stated, “The driver of the Karnataka Express noticed the flasher light and applied brakes, but the curvature made it difficult to see the stopped train. Despite this, the pilots’ quick response prevented an even greater tragedy. A train running at full speed requires at least 650 meters to stop.”
Trains in this section of the trunk route typically run at speeds exceeding 100 kmph, adding to the challenges in averting such incidents.
Ex-Gratia Relief Distributed
On January 23, 2025, an ex-gratia amount of ₹2,70,000 was distributed to the injured passengers. Hasan Ali, Vijay Kumar, Uttam Harjan, Dharma Sawant, and Abu Mohammad, who suffered grievous injuries, received ₹50,000 each. Meanwhile, Moharam, Hakeem Ansari, Deepak Thapa, and Hujala Sawant, who sustained minor injuries, were given ₹5,000 each.
The accident underscores the need for enhanced safety measures on trunk routes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
