Train Derailment Update: Normal train operations have resumed on the Cuttack-Nergundi Rail Section following the derailment of the 12551 Bangalore-Guwahati Kamakhya AC Superfast Express on Sunday, March 30, 2025. The derailment, which occurred between Kendrapara Road and Nergundi stations in the Cuttack-Bhadrak Railway Section at approximately 11:54 AM, temporarily disrupted train services. However, restoration efforts were carried out on a war footing, with services resuming within 20 hours.
Swift Restoration Efforts
East Coast Railway (ECoR) railway personnel worked tirelessly through the night to restore the affected tracks. The entire operation was overseen by Shri Parmeshwar Funkwal, General Manager of ECoR, who coordinated efforts on-site to ensure the swift resumption of train operations.
By 07:15 AM on Monday, track clearance was completed, and Overhead Equipment (OHE) was restored by 07:40 AM. The first train, a goods train, passed through the affected site at 09:30 AM, with the \”up-line\” resuming operations soon thereafter.
Key Restoration Highlights:
Rapid Response: Restoration was completed within 20 hours with the deployment of sleeper rakes, poclain machines, tower cranes, and additional personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and district administration.
Train Services Resumed: Trains initially moved at a restricted speed of approximately 10 kilometers per hour, with gradual increases expected as conditions stabilize.
Diversions & Alternate Routes: To minimize disruptions, ECoR diverted 38 down-line trains and 17 up-line trains via alternative routes.
Trains Running Via Barang-Naraj-Kapilas Road
20892 Brahmapur-Tata Vande Bharat Express
22503 Kanyakumari-Dibrugarh Express
12278 Puri-Howrah Shatabdi Express
12074 Bhubaneswar-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express
18414 Puri-Paradeep Express
18416 Puri-Barbil Express
And more…
Trains Departing on March 30, 2025, and Diverted Via Barang-Naraj-Kapilas Road:
22841 Trivandrum-Shalimar Express
18046 Hyderabad-Shalimar East Coast Express
12842 Chennai-Shalimar Coromandal Express
22808 Chennai-Santragachhi AC Express
08012 Puri-Bhanjapur Biweekly Express
12880 Bhubaneswar-LTT Express
12245 Howrah-Bangalore Express
22824 New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (29.03.2025)
22855 Santragachhi-Tirupati Express
18045 Shalimar-Hyderabad East Coast Express
12504 Agartala-Bangalore Express
07222 Santragachhi-Secunderabad Special
12277 Howrah-Puri Express
And more…
Passenger Assistance & Cooperation
Throughout the incident, the safety and well-being of passengers remained the top priority. Affected passengers were provided with necessary assistance and alternate travel arrangements. ECoR also acknowledged the cooperation of passengers and the support of local authorities in facilitating the restoration process.
ECoR commended the unwavering dedication of railway personnel in overcoming challenging conditions to restore services promptly. The swift response reflects the commitment of Indian Railways to ensuring seamless transportation across Odisha and beyond.
