Coromandel Express passes through accident site in Balasore after four days

BHUBANESWAR: It was a touching moment on Tuesday as the Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express (12842) made its way through Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district, just four days after a devastating accident that claimed 288 lives. The air was thick with emotions as the train passed by, serving as a solemn reminder of the tragic mishap that had occurred.
This Coromandel Express was rescheduled by 3.45 hours during its departure from Chennai station at 10.51am on Monday. It passed the accident site at Bahanaga Bazar between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Tuesday. It was running with a restricted speed while passing this triple-train tragedy site.
Railway staff who were busy working at the accident site were expressing happiness for restoring the track for running of trains including Coromandel Express. Passengers of this train were seen peeping through the window to see the accident site with inquisitive eyes.
Its return train Shalimar-Howrah Coromandel Express (12841) will pass the accident site on Wednesday evening, said the railway sources.
The Shalimar-Howrah Coromandel Express had climbed onto a stationary goods train on the loop line at Bahanaga Bazar level crossing on Friday evening. Later the train derailed and hit Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast express passing the stretch. Two coaches of the Howrah-bound train were badly damaged.
On Monday, Puri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express and its return train passed the accident site at a restricted speed. More than 100 trains have passed the stretch since the restoration of the two mainlines at Bahanaga station.
After 51 hours of logjam due to a triple-train accident at Bahanaga Bazar level crossing, a goods train was allowed first to run on the accident-hit site on Sunday. Later the Up-line was made operational early on Monday morning in the presence of Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.