123456 Howrah: A close shave notwithstanding, the passengers on board the Secunderabad-Shalimar Superfast Weekly Express were jolted—literally and figuratively—as the train derailed at Nalpur early on Saturday. While they took a while to compose themselves and comprehend what had just happened and "thanked the Almighty" for their survival, the last-mile commute to Kolkata, the lack of transport and the harassment they faced added to their trauma.
First an unending wait and then, they had to lug their heavy bags and scramble onto passing buses and trucks after paying through their nose to reach Kolkata or Howrah station.
Ajit Kumar was seen frantically running around Nalpur station, unable to find transport to Howrah station even three hours after the accident. He said some passengers were almost forcibly packed on buses by railway staff. Many fell ill, and the railway staff allegedly did not pay heed. "I still don't know how to reach Howrah station. For the past three hours, railway staff have been saying they would arrange for transport to Howrah station, but nothing has yet been done. The railways has not even given us water or tea," said Kumar.
Another passenger, Mohammad Israful, was seen negotiating fare with a truck driver outside Nalpur station. The resident of Begusarai in Bihar said he was rattled by the accident and repeatedly thanked God for his narrow escape. "I was on the affected coach. I was sleeping when the accident happened and was thrown off in a violent jolt. I injured my hand and head. Initially, I thought the train had suddenly braked but soon, realised something was amiss when I heard other passengers' cries. I alighted from the halted coach and saw the train had derailed. The train had veered off the tracks and landed on another track. Everything had turned dark from the dust that was kicked up by wheels meeting stone chips," said Israful.
Many passengers were still asleep when the train derailed around 5.30 pm. It took most people a while to comprehend what had just happened. "We realised that had things been even slightly different, many of us could have died," said Israful. Many of the travellers were thrown off the bunks. Those who were up and getting their luggage ready to alight at the approaching Shalimar station, were tossed around, their bags being hurled across the aisles in the impact. A passenger said he saw a child fall down and suffer injury on the head and neck.
Deepa Haldar, was still trembling and wiping away her tears as she waited at Nalpur station. The IT professional from Ultadanga had been to Secunderabad on work. "The experience can't be described in words. I still can't believe I am alive. I was returning to my seat from the toilet, when I was thrown off by the jolt. I injured my waist, hand and neck," she said. "I've lost trust in the railways. Instead of increasing train fares, they should think about passenger safety. In future, I'll rely on flights. I want to return home quickly, no matter what. This trauma will stay with me for a long time."