×

Coromandel Express leaves Shalimar for Chennai, first time after horrific Odisha accident

Train leaves Shalimar at 3.20 pm, to reach Chennai tomorrow afternoon

A woman passenger onboard the Coromandal Express prays as the train leaves Shalimar station | Salil Bera

The Coromandel Express involved in a horrific tripple-train accident in Odisha's Balasore resumed its service on Wednesday and left the Shalimar station in West Bengal for Chennai.

The 12841 number train left Shalimar at 3.20 pm and is expected to reach MGR Chennai Central at 4.50 pm on Thursday.

At least 278 people were killed and more than 900 were injured in the accident—one of the worst in the country—near the Bahanaga Bazar station on June 2. The Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary goods train and 10-12 of its coaches derailed and fell on the adjascent track on which the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was travelling, forcing it, too, to jump off the track.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe into the mishap following the recommendation of the Railway Ministry, after the initial probe revealed not just a "signalling interference", but also a likely human negligence. 

The passenger train service was restored on the route on Monday morning, with the Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express train crossing the accident site.