Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Flag-Off Ceremony Cancelled After Tragic Odisha Train Collision

Vande Bharat Express trains have been on a course of progression. The inauguration of the fourth express train from Mumbai to Goa has been in the works for some time now. The flag-off ceremony had been carefully planned by the Indian Railways, who were extremely enthusiastic about it. However, in light of the tragic train accident in Odisha, the ceremony has been postponed. 

Vande Bharat Express Train’s Inauguration Ceremony Postponed

The collision between the Coromandel Express and a freight train in the Balasore district of Odisha on Friday resulted in the cancellation of the Madgaon-CSMT Vande Bharat Express train. It was originally scheduled to depart on Saturday. The renewed date for the departure of the fourth Vande Bharat train hasn’t been specified.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Railway Minister, asserted on Friday that Vande Bharat trains would reach every state. After the devastating news of the accident in Odisha broke, the lavish Vande Bharat Express train’s Goa-Mumbai flag-off ceremony was postponed. As per the reports from Hindustan Times, a senior official from the railway ministry stated that it is unclear whether there will be a second flag-off ceremony for this train or if it will leave Madgaon without fanfare. Originally, a massive event was scheduled for Saturday, with the Prime Minister of India flagging off the event at 10:45 a.m.

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900 Injuries Reported After The Train Collision In Odisha

In this inaugural ceremony, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw were also scheduled to speak. A presentation showcasing the benefits of this train route was also in the works. At Madgaon station on Friday, the railways conducted hurried test runs and examined the mechanical and electrical components of this train. 

This was supposed to be the first eight-car Vande Bharat train and was scheduled to run six days a week. Following its route, the train would make stops at CSMT, Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Khed, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, Thivim, and Madgaon. The entire journey would be seven hours and fifty minutes long.

The Coromandel Express collided with a goods train on Friday in Odisha’s Balasore district, causing at least 900 injuries. The Coromandel Express travels from West Bengal’s Shalimar station to Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Many of the train’s passengers are believed to be dead, and many more are believed to be trapped inside the overturned coaches after the collision, which happened close to Balasore’s Bahanaga railway station.

This news is tragic for the country and for the families of all the injured passengers.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons