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In a shocking incident on Thursday, the Mumbai-bound Lokmanya Tilak Express, traveling from Agartala, derailed at Dibalong station in the Lumding-Badarpur Hill section of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The derailment occurred at approximately 4 PM, impacting at least three coaches of the train. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported so far, thanks to the relatively low speed at which the train was traveling.

Incident Details and Immediate Response

As soon as the derailment occurred, rescue and relief operations were initiated promptly. Emergency teams, including an Accident Relief Train and Accident Relief Medical Train, were dispatched from Lumding to the accident site. Senior officials from the NFR also rushed to the location to oversee the situation and coordinate the disaster management efforts.

In a statement, a senior NFR official confirmed that "two to three coaches of the Agartala-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express derailed at Dibalong station in the Lumding division. There have been no reports of injury or casualty so far." The swift action of emergency services and the immediate deployment of relief trains helped prevent any further escalation of the situation.

Helpline Numbers for Assistance

In light of the accident, the Northeast Frontier Railway has set up helpline numbers to assist passengers and their families. The helpline numbers—03674-263120 and 03674-263126—are operational at Lumding station to provide information and support related to the rescue and restoration efforts.

Impact on Train Services

The derailment has caused significant disruptions to train services in the Lumding–Badarpur section. Several trains, including the Kanchanjunga Express and Duronto Express, were halted at New Haflong station following the derailment. The NFR has also announced the cancellation of several trains in the affected region. These include the Guwahati-New Jalpaiguri Special, Rangiya-Silchar-Rangiya Express, and the New Jalpaiguri-Guwahati Special, which were scheduled to operate on Thursday and Friday.

Government Response and Public Statements

The incident has drawn the attention of regional leaders, with both the Chief Ministers of Assam and Tripura addressing the situation. Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha expressed relief, stating, "All passengers of Lokmanya Tilak Express are safe after some compartments derailed. Thankfully, the low speed minimized the impact, and no injuries have been reported."

Similarly, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reassured the public via social media, confirming that "8 coaches of Train 12520 Agartala-Lokmanya Tilak Express derailed at Dibalong station. There has been no major casualty or injury, and all passengers are safe. We are coordinating with railway authorities, and a relief train will soon reach the site."

Ongoing Rescue and Restoration Efforts

While rescue operations are still underway, the primary focus remains on restoring normal train services in the affected area. Teams are working tirelessly to clear the tracks, and passengers of the derailed train are being assisted to ensure their safe onward journey. Further investigations will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the derailment, but for now, the priority is passenger safety and the restoration of disrupted services.

As train travel continues to be a vital lifeline for millions across the country, the timely and efficient response from the Northeast Frontier Railway and local authorities has helped avert a potential tragedy, ensuring that all passengers remain safe in the wake of the incident.