Train kills 1, injures 6 at unmanned crossing in MP's Anuppur
Synopsis
A freight train hit a pickup van at an ungated railway crossing in Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, killing one man and injuring six others returning home after a DJ delivery. The locomotive pilot fled the scene. Authorities have now promised a gate at the crossing — an assurance that comes too late for one family.
Key Takeaways
Ravi Barman, 25 , of Chakethi village was killed when a freight train struck a pickup vehicle near Sanjay Nagar Double Story, Anuppur , late Thursday night on 23 October 2026 .
Six others were injured, including the pickup driver, and referred to a hospital in Jabalpur for advanced care.
The crossing had no railway gate and no gatekeeper at the time of the accident.
The locomotive pilot reportedly fled the scene, leaving the engine running.
Authorities have assured the family of compensation under applicable rules and pledged to install a gate at the crossing.
An accidental death case is being registered; a post-mortem examination has been ordered.
A 25-year-old man was killed and six others were injured late Thursday night when a freight train collided with a pickup vehicle at an unmanned railway crossing in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh. The accident has renewed scrutiny over safety gaps at ungated crossings along coal-transport rail lines in the region.
How the Accident Unfolded
The collision occurred near Sanjay Nagar Double Story in the Chachai police station area. The pickup was carrying seven people — all residents of Chakaithi village — returning home after delivering DJ equipment. The freight train was reportedly en route to Sangwa siding to collect coal for the Amarkantak Thermal Power Plant.
According to police, several occupants managed to jump out of the moving vehicle after spotting the approaching locomotive. However, Ravi Barman, a resident of Chakethi village, was trapped inside and could not escape. He died at the scene. The impact was severe enough that his body had to be retrieved using a JCB machine.
Victims and Their Condition
The six injured — including the pickup driver — were admitted to the district hospital in Anuppur and were subsequently referred for advanced care in Jabalpur. The injured were identified as Arjun Kol (17), Vikas Singh (22), Shivam Baig (18), Kanhaiya Verma (25), Karan Kol (19), and Rajesh Singh (26), all from Chakaithi village.
No Gate, No Gatekeeper
The pickup driver told authorities that the crossing had neither a railway gate nor an assigned gatekeeper at the time of the accident. The locomotive pilot reportedly fled the scene, leaving the engine running — a detail that police are factoring into their investigation.
Notably, the rail line in question is regularly used for transporting coal to a thermal power plant, making it a high-frequency freight corridor. The absence of basic safety infrastructure at a busy crossing has raised serious questions about compliance with railway safety norms.
Demands, Assurances, and Next Steps
Following the accident, Ravi Barman's family demanded financial compensation and employment for one of his brothers at the power plant. After a meeting involving district officials, police, villagers, and power plant representatives, assurances were reportedly given that compensation would be provided under applicable rules and that a gate would be installed at the crossing.
Anuppur Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Sujit Kumar confirmed that the body would be sent for a post-mortem examination and that an accidental death case would be registered. 'Further action will be taken after the investigation,' he said.
With the locomotive pilot still at large and no gate at the crossing, the case is likely to draw attention from railway safety regulators and state authorities in the days ahead.
Point of View
And each tragedy is followed by the same cycle: assurances, a promised gate, and limited follow-through. The Anuppur accident is a textbook repeat — a high-frequency coal corridor with no basic safety infrastructure, a locomotive pilot who fled, and a family left to negotiate compensation in the aftermath of a preventable death. The Indian Railways has been eliminating unmanned crossings under successive programmes, yet gaps plainly persist on industrial feeder lines. Until safety audits extend systematically to freight-only corridors, these crossings will keep killing.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Anuppur railway crossing accident?
A freight train struck a pickup vehicle carrying seven people at an unmanned railway crossing near Sanjay Nagar Double Story in Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, late on Thursday night. One man, Ravi Barman (25), was killed and six others were injured.
Why was the Anuppur crossing unmanned?
The pickup driver told authorities that the crossing had neither a railway gate nor a gatekeeper assigned to it. Authorities have since assured that a gate will be installed at the site following the accident.
Who were the injured in the Anuppur train accident?
The six injured are Arjun Kol (17), Vikas Singh (22), Shivam Baig (18), Kanhaiya Verma (25), Karan Kol (19), and Rajesh Singh (26), all residents of Chakaithi village in Anuppur. They were first taken to Anuppur district hospital and then referred to Jabalpur for better treatment.
What action is being taken after the Anuppur crossing accident?
Anuppur Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Sujit Kumar confirmed an accidental death case will be registered and a post-mortem examination ordered. District officials have also promised compensation to the victim's family and a gate installation at the crossing.
Why was the freight train travelling through that area?
The train was reportedly heading to Sangwa siding to collect coal for the Amarkantak Thermal Power Plant, making the rail line a regular industrial freight corridor. The locomotive pilot reportedly fled the scene after the collision.
