Alipurduar resident dies in Odisha train derailment
Times of India | 31 March 2025
Jalpaiguri: Last week, 22-year-old Subhankar Roy, a labourer at a steel factory in Alipurduar, took a 10-day leave to take his mother, Chitra, to Bengaluru for a heart check-up. He planned to resume his duties in the first week of April. Accordingly, he had his mother examined at a hospital in Bengaluru and then boarded the Bengaluru-Kamakhya AC Superfast Express to return to his hometown.
However, fate had other plans. On Sunday, as many as 11 coaches of the train derailed near Nergundi station in Cuttack district, resulting in the death of one passenger—Subhankar, and injuries to approximately 25 others.
A resident of Madhya Para in Alipurduar town, Subhankar lived with his mother. His paternal uncle and aunt also stay in the same house. His father had passed away long ago and despite being a graduate, he took up the job of a daily labourer to support his family.
As the news reached Alipurduar, a sombre atmosphere descended upon the neighbourhood. Police officers from Alipurduar Police Station visited the residence and assured all possible assistance in bringing Subhankar's body home.
"It is heart-wrenching to see someone like Subhankar meet such a tragic fate. It is an irreparable loss for his mother," said Nabakumar Bhattacharya, a neighbour. According to railway officials, Roy had jumped from the train after the derailment and succumbed to his injuries. However, authorities were awaiting the post-mortem report to confirm the exact cause of death.
"An ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the next of kin of the deceased. Additionally, Rs 2.5 lakh will be provided for those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries," an official statement read.
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