ANDHRA PRADESH (Metro Rail & Steel): After a tragic train collision between Alamanda and Kantakapalli, railway officials announced that all three affected lines have been restored for train operations. The middle line was deemed fit for train operations at 11:29 p.m. on Monday, and the first train passed through the affected area at 12:55 a.m. on Tuesday. In earlier operations, the first coaching train passed in the Upline at 02:36 p.m., and in the Down Line, the first goods train passed at 02:25 p.m. on Monday.
As a result, all three lines between Alamanda and Kantakapalli are now open for train movement. The tragic incident has taken a heavy toll, with the death count now standing at 14 in Vizianagaram district, according to police reports. Biswajit Sahu, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Coast Railway, noted that the rescue operation has concluded, and the focus has shifted to track restoration work. Sahu explained, “The rescue operation is over now. We have arranged buses and trains for the stranded passengers. A total of 18 trains have been canceled, and 22 trains have been diverted. We are trying to clear the track by 4 p.m. today.”
He added that victims with minor injuries are receiving first aid treatment at Alamanda Hospital, while those with serious injuries have been transferred to Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam Hospitals. In addition to transportation arrangements for stranded passengers, the railway has established a help desk and is using SMS notifications to keep passengers informed. Sahu also revealed that 18 trains have been canceled, and 22 trains have been diverted to manage the situation.
“Our two ART (Accident Relief Train) teams are working on-site, and all the staff from Sambalpur headquarters division are contributing to the efforts to clear the track by 4 p.m. this evening,” he stated. The accident involved a rear collision between the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train and the Visakhapatnam-Ragada passenger train, resulting in multiple derailed coaches and a significant number of injuries, including fatalities.
