Editor's Pick: Andhra Pradesh train accident kills 14, many injured

Two trains on the Howrah-Chennai line in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening, leaving multiple people dead and dozens injured. At the time of writing this newsletter, at least 14 people were confirmed dead, while 50 were reported injured. The accident occurred around 7.00 p.m. on Sunday evening when the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train hit the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train from behind at Kankatapalli. “The Palasa passenger was going on the middle line and is said to have slowed down and in the meantime, the Rayagada passenger overshot the signal and hit the Palasa passenger train,” Divisional Railway Manager Saurabh Prasad told The Hindu on Monday. Three coaches of the Palasa passenger, and the locomotive and two coaches of the Rayagada passenger were derailed and badly damaged, Mr. Prasad added. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, ₹2 lakh for the grievously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. Vizinagaram Collector S. Nagalakshmi promised up to ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for families of deceased persons of the accident, and ₹2 lakh compensation for each injured person. The KAVACH system – an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation in collaboration with the Indian industry – was not available for both the trains that collided. The system is meant to provide protection by preventing trains from passing the signal at red (which marks danger) and avoiding collision. It activates the train’s braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per speed restrictions. It also prevents collision between two locomotives equipped with functional KAVACH systems. Vizianagaram district administration and railway authorities have set up helplines to provide quick information to those affected by the accident: Kantakapalli (8978081960), Vizianagaram ( 08922-221206, 08922-221202, 9493589157), Srikakulam Road (08942-286213, 286245). Information counters have also been set up at Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Palasa railway stations. The Hindu Editorials Time and change: On the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and new criminal laws Farce of law: On the searches in Rajasthan and the Enforcement Directorate The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz The Border Security Force (BSF) lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan Rangers on Saturday over a recent firing that lasted for eight hours along an International Border (IB). Where did the firing take place? Jammu Punjab Rajasthan Assam To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 30 October 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Andhra Pradesh train accident kills 14, many injured Two trains on the [Howrah-Chennai line in Vizianagaram district]( of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening, leaving multiple people dead and dozens injured. At the time of writing this newsletter, at least 14 people were confirmed dead, while 50 were reported injured. The accident occurred around 7.00 p.m. on Sunday evening when the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger train hit the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train from behind at [Kankatapalli](. “The Palasa passenger was going on the middle line and is said to have slowed down and in the meantime, the Rayagada passenger overshot the signal and hit the Palasa passenger train,” Divisional Railway Manager Saurabh Prasad told The Hindu on Monday. Three coaches of the Palasa passenger, and the locomotive and two coaches of the Rayagada passenger were derailed and badly damaged, Mr. Prasad added. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, ₹2 lakh for the grievously injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries. Vizinagaram Collector S. Nagalakshmi promised up to ₹10 lakh ex-gratia for families of deceased persons of the accident, and ₹2 lakh compensation for each injured person. The KAVACH system – an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation in collaboration with the Indian industry – was not available for both the trains that collided. The system is meant to provide protection by preventing trains from passing the signal at red (which marks danger) and avoiding collision. It activates the train’s braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per speed restrictions. It also prevents collision between two locomotives equipped with functional KAVACH systems. Vizianagaram district administration and railway authorities have set up helplines to provide quick information to those affected by the accident: Kantakapalli (8978081960), Vizianagaram ( 08922-221206, 08922-221202, 9493589157), Srikakulam Road (08942-286213, 286245). Information counters have also been set up at Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Palasa railway stations. The Hindu Editorials [Arrow][Time and change: On the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs and new criminal laws]( [Arrow][Farce of law: On the searches in Rajasthan and the Enforcement Directorate]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz The Border Security Force (BSF) lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan Rangers on Saturday over a recent firing that lasted for eight hours along an International Border (IB). 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