Andhra Pradesh train accident: CM Jagan Mohan Reddy to visit victims in hospital, skips Vizianagaram mishap site

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit the Vizianagaram Government General Hospital today to meet the survivors of a recent train accident. The chief minister's visit to the accident spot has been postponed in order to avoid any delays in the ongoing track restoration work.The accident took place on the Howrah-Chennai railway line on Sunday evening when the Palasa Passenger train collided with the Rayagada Passenger train near Kantakapalli, approximately 40 km from Visakhapatnam. As a result of the collision, three coaches derailed, leading to the unfortunate death of 14 individuals and injuring 50 others.The chief minister's decision to directly visit the hospital was made at the request of the Railway officials. They expressed concerns that the track restoration work might be delayed if the chief minister were to inspect the accident spot. In accordance with their appeal, the chief minister will meet the injured survivors at the Vizianagaram Government General Hospital.Efforts to restore the tracks have been undertaken urgently, with the removal of the affected coaches and immediate track restoration work. According to Railway officials, the accident involved the Visakhapatnam-Palasa and Visakhapatnam-Rayagada passenger trains, as the Rayagada passenger train had overshot the signal.The chief minister's visit to the hospital aims to provide support and comfort to the survivors of the tragic accident.