Survivors Recall Dreadful Collision As Death Toll In Bilaspur Train Accident Rises To 11
A survivor recounts: When I opened my eyes, I was pinned under the seat...My coach had climbed onto the goods train.
Published : November 5, 2025 at 7:24 AM IST
|Updated : November 5, 2025 at 7:51 AM IST
Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh): Sanjeev Vishwakarma, a 35-year-old passenger of Gevra Road-Bilaspur train, was scrolling through his phone, while his co-passengers were busy chatting, unaware that their journey would soon turn into a nightmare.
Around 4 pm on Tuesday, the train came to a sudden halt as metal screeched, windows shattered and panic swept through the compartments. The MEMU (mainline electric multiple unit) train Vishwakarma and others were travelling in had rammed into a goods train from behind near Bilaspur station. Such was the impact that the first coach of the train had climbed onto the cargo wagon.
By Wednesday morning, the death toll in the incident had risen to 11. Those killed included the loco pilot, while 20 others, including the female assistant loco pilot, were injured in the accident that occurred between Gatora and Bilaspur railway stations on the Howrah-Mumbai rail route section.
For Vishwakarma, a resident of Bilha (Bilaspur), what began as a routine return trip from his in-laws' house in Akaltara ended in chaos and screams.
"I was sitting in the first coach. There were about 16-17 of passengers, including men, women, and children. Suddenly, around 500 metres after leaving Gatora, the train shook violently and crashed into something. There was a thunderous sound followed by people's screams...Then everything went dark," he recalled.
"When I opened my eyes, I was pinned under the seat. People were crying for help. My coach had climbed onto the goods train. I saw bodies right in front of me. Three people, including a woman, died. Their faces still haunt me," he told PTI, lying on his hospital bed.
Mohan Sharma (29) a marketing professional from Raipur, had boarded the train from Champa (in neighbouring Janjgir-Champa district). "I had planned to go to Raipur by Link Express train, but the train was late so I thought I would save time by taking this (MEMU) train. Although I de-boarded this train, thinking of once again taking the Link Express but again boarded the same," he said.
"I was using my mobile phone when there was a violent jerk, the next thing I knew, I was thrown to the floor. My phone flew away," he said. "When I looked out, I saw the first coach resting on the goods train's wagon. My right leg was trapped, I couldn't move it. Railway staff pulled me out and rushed me for treatment. It all happened in seconds," he said.
Had the train slowed down even a little, those people would have been alive, he added.
Mehbish Parveen (19), a second-year BSc Mathematics student at D P Vipra College Bilaspur, was returning to Bilaspur from her home Naila in neighbouring Janjgir-Champa district after attending a family wedding.
"I was travelling in the first coach. It was supposed to be a happy journey back. Then came the crash. My leg broke. I can't forget the screams as everyone was shouting for help," she said.
Geeta Debnath (30), an advocate from Bilaspur, said she was in the first coach.
"The impact was so strong that my leg got trapped. I couldn't move. Rescuers pulled me out after several minutes. I had gone to Akaltara for court work. I never imagined I would return like this," she said.
Rishi Yadav, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, was injured in the mishap and was admitted to Apollo Hospital. His parents and grandmother died in the accident. Rishi was travelling with his father, mother and maternal grandmother from Champa.
A relative who visited the child at the hospital demanded the administration to look after him. "They should raise him till he can stand on his own feet. They should provide him with education and proper care. Now that the child has become an orphan, the administration should take responsibility for his care," he said.
Deputy CM Arun Saw and MP Vijay Baghel stated that the incident was painful and heartbreaking. Rescue teams are continuously engaged in relief work, and the injured are being provided with all possible assistance. The Deputy CM also visited the railway hospital to inquire about their well-being.
"The administration team carried out relief and rescue operations with full force. An investigation into the incident has been ordered," he said.
The railways has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh to the injured.
The accident is being investigated: Railway officials have also issued statements on this matter. The Railway General Manager says that the Commissioner of Railway Safety is investigating the cause of the accident. "He is present on site. Further action will be taken after the cause is determined," he said.
Details of injured passengers
- Mathura Bhaskar, 55 years old.
- Chaura Bhaskar, 50.
- Shatrughan, 50.
- Geeta Debnath, 30.
- Mehbish Parveen, 19.
- Sanjeev Vishwakarma, 35.
- Soni Yadav, female, 25.
- Santosh Hansraj, 60.
- Rashmi Raj, 34.
- Rishi Yadav, 2.
- Tularam Agarwal, 60.
- Aradhana Nishad, 16.
- Mohan Sharma, 29.
- Anjula Singh, 49.
- Shanta Devi Gautam, 64.
- Pritam Kumar, 18.
- Shailesh Chandra, 49.
- Ashok Kumar Dixit, 54.
- Neeraj Dewangan, 53.
- Rajendra Maruti Bisare, 60.
Helpline numbers
The South East Central Railway have opened the following helpline numbers for the convenience of passengers and their families: Bilaspur – 7777857335, 7869953330; Champa – 8085956528; Raigarh – 9752485600; Pendra Road – 8294730162 and Korba – 7869953330.
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