On 27 August 2024, the Congress party’s official X handle posted a misleading claim about a supposed rail accident in Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), branding it as another “small incident” ignored by the Narendra Modi-led administration. However, the Ministry of Railways swiftly debunked the post, clarifying that the collision occurred within NTPC’s Unchahar plant and involved a private goods train, not Indian Railways.
Without verifying the news, DMK’s Kalaignar News amplified the fake news, only to delete it later after being called out by netizens. This fake alarm marks another instance of the Congress party spreading misinformation about railway accidents.
Congress Fakes RaeBareli Rail Accident
On 27 August 2024, the Congress’ official X handle shared a post about an alleged railway accident in Raebareli, UP. They wrote, “Reel Minister, another small incident has happened. This time, this small incident has happened in Raebareli, UP. The loco pilot and some people are said to be injured. For your information.“
रील मंत्री जी, एक और छोटी घटना हो गई है।
इस बार यूपी के रायबरेली में ये छोटी घटना हुई है।
लोको पायलट और कुछ लोग घायल बताए जा रहे हैं।
आपकी जानकारी के लिए 👇 pic.twitter.com/nU0MyXi9bl
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 27, 2024
Turns out that Congress spread this alarm over a fake accident.
Railway Ministry Responds
The Ministry of Railways’ official X account fact-checked the Congress party’s alleged claim about the fake Raebareli rail accident in Uttar Pradesh. They wrote, “Don’t mislead the Nation. Neither the engine nor the driver is of Indian Railways. Please stop demoralising the Railway family.”
Don’t mislead the Nation. Neither the engine nor the driver is of Indian Railways. Please stop demoralising the Railway family.
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 27, 2024
Officials reported on Tuesday, 27 August 2024, that a goods train and a locomotive collided within the NTPC plant premises in Unchahar, Raebareli district, on the night of 26 August 2024. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. The collision occurred as the goods train, having unloaded coal, was returning and struck a stationary locomotive inside the plant.
NTPC Repairing Track
NTPC’s public relations officer, Komal Sharma, stated, “There has been no loss of life, and repair work on the railway track is underway.”
As reported by PTI, officials said a coal rake arrived at the NTPC facility on 26 August 2024. After unloading late at night, the goods train was preparing to depart when it collided with the locomotive a short distance from the plant, causing it to derail. Upon learning of the incident, NTPC officials and CISF personnel quickly arrived at the scene, and efforts to repair the track and re-align the locomotive began promptly the next day.
DMK Dramatises Fake News
This fake news was amplified by DMK’s mouthpiece Kalaignar News. In a dramatic post, they wrote, “Endless rail accidents” and shared the same pictures as shared by the INC handle. The image caption read, “The train heading to Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh suddenly derailed and overturned. It is reported that some people, including the driver, were injured.”
.@RailMinIndia now request and beg them not to spread fake news pic.twitter.com/zaAEU9PidC
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) August 27, 2024
Kalaignar News later deleted the post after netizens called out the fakery.
Not The First Time!
This is not the first time the INC handle has shared fake news about railway accidents in India.
Addressing the Railway Minister as “Reel Mantri” (same as in this post), the Congress handle, on 11 August 2024, shared a video of a derailed goods train on its X page. The handle mockingly added, “Reel Minister, A goods train derailed in Sonbhadra, UP. Add this also to the ‘small’ incidents.”
रील मंत्री जी,
यूपी के सोनभद्र में मालगाड़ी पटरी से उतर गई.
'छोटी-छोटी' घटना में इसे भी जोड़ लीजिए. pic.twitter.com/enjsKOplAJ
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 11, 2024
The Ministry of Railways promptly addressed the false claims on X, stating, “Sir, the locomotive does not belong to Indian Railways, the track is not part of Indian Railways’ infrastructure, and the wagon is also not owned by Indian Railways.”
Sir,
•The locomotive does not belong to Indian Railways,
•The track is not part of Indian Railways' infrastructure, and
•The wagon is also not owned by Indian Railways— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 11, 2024
In reality, this was what happened at Sonbhadra. On 11 August 2024, at around 11:30 AM, a private goods train transporting coal from Northern Coalfield Limited (NCL) in Khadia to the Anpara power plant derailed in the Shaktinagar area of Sonbhadra. Two wagons and the locomotive left the track, which the power plant managed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Officials clarified that the power plant owned the track, wagons, and locomotive. The incident sparked online mockery as the Congress party made baseless allegations, which netizens eagerly trolled, viewing the claims as an attempt to gain political leverage.
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