Restoration works are in full swing between Barsuan and Bimalgarh railway stations where a goods train derailed at in the evening at 1935 on Tuesday, December 22,2020.
Damages to points on tracks, overhead equipment (OHE) and signals have been reported. Divisional control was activated immediately and ART ( accident relief train) / 140 ton cranes summoned from Bondamunda, Chakradharpur and Ranchi. At the time of writing the report about 50 per cent of restoration work has already been done.
A senior official of Chakradharpur division told www.railpost.in that full restoration is likely by Friday evening (December 25). Limited road access to the section poses a challenge for restoration works as the line passes through forested area coupled with undulating hilly terrain.
What led to the derailment on December 22
The goods train which was stabled on line number 7 was drawn out to line number 3 of Barsuan on block back.
After clearing the point , instead of backing up towards Barsuan yard, the train rolled down and could not be controlled as brakes could not be applied on the down gradient.The rake consisted of 59 wagons laden with iron- ore and a guard brake van. It was bound for Kirodimalnagar in Chhattisgarh.
Of this, only 32 wagons reached Bimalgarh while the remaining derailed mid-section between Barsuan and Bimalgarh. Finally, these 32 wagons derailed/capsized at Bimalgarh yard by dashing against another stationary goods train containing N/BOX/E wagons on line No. 4.
The 21- km Barsuan -Bimalgarh section is a part of a branch line that veers off from Bondamunda near Rourkela towards the iron ore mines at Barsuan. It is a single line electrified section with absolute block working.