Title - SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY: A Brief up on the Fire Accident Involving Train No. 12622 New Delhi - Chennai

An unfortunate fire accident occurred on Train No. 12622 New Delhi - Chennai Tamil Nadu Express near Nellore Railway Station on Vijayawada-Gudur Section of Vijayawada Division in the early hours at about 04.20am on 30th July, 2012. The fire occurred in S-11 Coach, which is situated 5th from the rear of the train. The fire was noticed by Station Master, Nellore while it was passing through and the train was brought to a halt immediately between Nellore and Vedayapalem stations. The fire was brought under control by 05 20 hrs. The remaining coaches of the train were isolated and the unaffected portion of the train was run toChennai. The burnt coach was cleared to Nellore Station. As per the latest information available, the rescue teams have retrieved 28 dead bodies( 19 Male, 6 Female and 3 Children) from the ill fated S-11 Coach and in addition 4 more bodies in unrecognizable condition have also been recovered.

Normal train traffic o­n the Nellore-Gudur section was restored and the trains regulated on the section started running by 07.45 hrs. Due to this accident, 6 Passengers trains were fully cancelled and 4 passenger trains were partially cancelled.

South Central Railway undertook concerted efforts with the active co-operation of the state government officials to organise immediate rescue and relief measures Prompt relief measures were taken up to minimize loss of lives and to provide necessarymedical attention. A Medical Relief Van and Accident Relief Train were immediately rushed to the spot from Bitragunta, while the fire brigade from Nellore reached the spot by 04.40 Hrs and brought the fire under control by 05.20 Hrs.Railway officials from Vijayawada Division led by Divisional Railway Manager reached the accident site too versee the rescue and relief operations.Sri G. N. Asthana, General Manager , South Central Railway and other Senior officials also proceeded to the spot by a special train from Secunderabad to monitor the situation.The District Collector and SP/ Nellore District and other local officials were amongst the first to reach the spot and join the rescue and relief efforts.

The Disaster Management Control Room of the Zone at Secunderabad was immediately activated and a team of Senior officers from various departments camped to constantly monitor the field situation and guide the relief operations. Information was disseminated o­n a continuous basis to the Media.

Help Lines were set up promptly - at Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Nellore and Warangal to enable the anxious kith and kin of the passengers to access information o­n the safety and condition of those travelling by the train.

The Help Line numbers are as follows:

Secunderabad - 040-27786723, 27700868

Nellore- 0861- 2345863, 2345864, 2345865, 2345866

Vijayawada-0866- 2576924, 2575038

Warangal-0870 -2426232, 09701371063



A special train from Chennai has been run, carrying the relatives and friends of the affected passengers, which reached Nellore station in the afternoon. Efforts are underway to identify the bodies of the deceased.

Railways have announced an enhanced Ex- gratia of Rs. 5 Lakhs to the kin of he deceased passengers, Rs. 1 Lakh to those grievously injured and Rs. 25,000 to the passengers with simple injuries.

A high level inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Central Circle has been ordered to investigate into the cause of this tragic Fire Accident. Shri Mukul Roy, Hon'ble Minister of Railways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa, Hon'ble Minister of State for Railways, Shri Vinay Mittal, Chairman, Railway Board
and Shri Khulbhushan, Member Electrical, Railway Board have also rushed to Nellore to take stock of the situation and monitor the relief arrangements. They would also be visiting the injured passengers admitted in various hospitals at Nellore.