A video purportedly recorded inside the locomotive of the Kolkata-Sairang Express has captured tense moments before the train derailed near Guwahati in Assam on Wednesday morning, November 11. The footage shows the driver attempting to operate the controls while warning that the emergency braking system was not responding.
The incident occurred at Digaru railway station in Assam’s Kamrup Metropolitan district at around 6:54 am. The locomotive and five coaches reportedly went off the tracks, prompting an immediate response from railway authorities.
In the circulating video, a man can be heard repeatedly expressing concern about the train’s braking system as the locomotive continues moving. The footage has raised questions about the circumstances leading to the derailment, although it does not independently establish the cause of the accident.
“Nothing Is Working”: Video Shows Moments Before Derailment
The approximately 45-second clip captures the tense atmosphere inside the locomotive cabin as the driver attempts to bring the train under control.
At one point, the man is heard saying, “BP pressure kam nahi ho raha,” indicating that the brake pipe pressure is not decreasing. He then warns that the signal is red and that the emergency brake appears not to be working.
As the situation becomes more urgent, he can be heard saying, “Kuch bhi kaam nahi kar raha hai,” which translates to “Nothing is working.”
The driver appears to operate several switches and controls, but the train continues forward. The recording ends amid a sudden jolt and a loud impact, with a bottle falling from a nearby surface.
Although the footage offers a glimpse into the moments before the accident, its authenticity and the precise circumstances it depicts have not been independently established. The apparent braking problem shown in the clip should not be treated as a confirmed technical cause of the derailment.
What Happened at Digaru Railway Station?
The Kolkata-Sairang Express, numbered 13125, was travelling towards Sairang in Mizoram when the derailment occurred near Guwahati.
According to preliminary information provided by Northeast Frontier Railway, the train was being received at Digaru station to allow another train to pass first. During the manoeuvre, the locomotive reportedly could not be brought under control, resulting in the derailment.
The locomotive and five coaches were reported to have left the tracks. Railway officials reached the site to assess the situation and supervise the response.
The railway administration initiated relief operations and arranged alternative transportation for passengers so they could continue their journeys.
Passengers Evacuated as Railway Officials Respond
Initial statements from railway authorities said passengers were safe and no injuries had been reported. However, some subsequent reports mentioned injuries, and the full extent of the impact was not immediately clear.
Passengers faced a frightening situation as the train came to a halt following the derailment. A pantry car employee reportedly described the train continuing to move for some distance after the initial incident, adding to the confusion inside the coaches.
Senior Northeast Frontier Railway officials travelled to the accident site to monitor relief work and coordinate restoration efforts. A recovery train was also dispatched to assist with clearing the affected section.
The incident disrupted other services in the region. The Guwahati–Jorhat Town Jan Shatabdi Express was held at Panbari, while the Coimbatore–Silchar Express was regulated at Panikhaiti.
Cause of Derailment Yet to Be Established
The video has intensified questions about whether a technical malfunction contributed to the accident. However, the footage alone cannot establish whether the braking system failed, whether the train’s speed was inadequately controlled, or whether another operational issue was involved.
The preliminary railway account focused on the difficulty in controlling the locomotive while the train was being received at Digaru station. A definitive explanation will require a technical examination and an assessment of the train’s operating conditions.
Investigators will need to establish the sequence of events, examine the locomotive and braking equipment, and review relevant operational records before determining responsibility.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of railway safety procedures, effective braking systems and reliable communication during train movements. The final findings of the investigation will be crucial in explaining what happened aboard the Kolkata-Sairang Express and whether any corrective measures are necessary.
