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Lucknow-Saharanpur Express derails, sabotage suspected

Thirteen people were injured, two of them grievously, when the engine and six coaches of the Lucknow-Saharanpur Express derailed due to an act of sabotage on the Gajraula-Najibabad section of Northern Railway this morning.

A Northern Railway spokesperson said the accident occurred at around 0655 hrs on a bridge between Haldaur and Bijnaur stations, 160 km from Delhi, as the express train was travelling towards Saharanpur from Gajraula. Investigations revealed that a 2.19 metre piece of rail tack way had been cut, the spokesperson said. Five sleeper coaches and one 2nd AC coach were affected.

While a few people with minor injuries were discharged after first aid and left for Bijnaur, 13 were admitted to the civil hospital at Bijnaur. A team of railway doctors has reached the site for expeditious treatment of the injured.

Senior railway officials, headed by assistant general manager of Northern Railway S A A Zaidi, have rushed to the site of the accident to supervise relief and rescue operations. A medical van and accident relief trains have also reached the spot.

Northern Railway said it had been constantly asking the Uttar Pradesh government to strengthen security in the area in view of the repeated cases of 'sabotage'. The Northern Railway general manager has also solicited the cooperation of rail users and the public in thwarting the attempts by miscreants to disrupt rail traffic.

An FIR has been lodged by the railway about today's accident, the spokesperson said. Northern Railway has set up an enquiry service at the office of the station superintendent, Bijnaur. Inquiries can be made at the telephone number 01342-62630 and 01342-62131.

UNI

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