Bilaspur— At least four people were killed and several others injured when a MEMU passenger train collided with a stationary goods train near Bilaspur railway station in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday afternoon. The tragic accident occurred around 4 pm when the MEMU train, travelling from Gevra in Korba district to Bilaspur, rammed into the goods train from behind between Gatora and Bilaspur stations, officials confirmed.
Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal said that four deaths have been confirmed so far, while two other passengers remain trapped inside the damaged coaches. Rescue operations are underway to free those stuck in the wreckage. “The injured have been admitted to Apollo Hospital and Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur. The condition of one passenger remains critical,” Agrawal added.
Visuals from the site showed a coach of the passenger train mounted onto a wagon of the goods train, indicating the intensity of the impact. Railway authorities said that emergency teams have been deployed for relief and rescue operations on a war footing, with senior officials reaching the spot to oversee efforts.
In an official statement, the Railways announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of each deceased, ₹5 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for passengers with minor injuries. A detailed investigation will be conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to determine the cause of the collision and recommend preventive measures.
The Railways has also issued helpline numbers for passengers and their families, assuring that all possible assistance and coordination are being provided. Relief operations continue late into the evening as authorities work to restore normalcy and support the victims of the devastating crash.
