Karnataka: Goods train derails near Bhima river bridge, passenger services hit

A pair of wheels from the trailing locomotive of an empty goods rake derailed while moving between Lachyan and Tadwal in the Gadag-Hotgi section of the Hubballi-Solapur line at 1.30 am

An empty goods train derailed near the Bhima river bridge on Hubballi-Solapur line in Karnataka early on September 25, disrupting passenger services, the second such incident in less than 24 hours.

A pair of wheels from the trailing locomotive of an empty goods rake derailed while moving between Lachyan and Tadwal in the Gadag-Hotgi section of the Hubballi-Solapur line at 1:30 am. No injuries have been reported.

South Western Railway (SWR) officials said the locomotive was approaching bridge 91 over the Bhima river when track “sinkage” was reported.

“The trailing locomotive, 49488, derailed while moving at a speed of 12 kmph due to track settlement near bridge no. 91, a key structure over the Bhima river," SWR chief public relations officer Manjunath Kanamadi said, referring to settling of the soil under the track.

Traffic on both down and up lines has been suspended until further notice due to the track conditions.

"SWR officials are assessing the situation and working to restore normal operations as swiftly and safely as possible," Kanamadi said.

Arrangements for food have been made at the Vijayapura railway station for approximately 1,000 passengers of train 17319. Three buses too have been arranged for them, he said. For stranded passengers of train 16535, six buses have been provided.

A similar derailment was reported from West Bengal the previous day. Five wagons of an empty goods train derailed at the New Maynaguri station in the Alipurduar division early on September 24 but no major disruption in services was reported, as trains were diverted through other routes.