Karur: 24 Students Injured After Private Goods Train Hits College Bus Near Velliyanai
24 students injured in Karur college bus–train collision.
At least 24 students were injured, one critically, when a goods train rammed into their college bus at an unmanned railway crossing near Velliyanai on Saturday evening, March 14, 2026. The accident occurred around 6 PM as the bus carrying nearly 50 students from VSB Engineering College in Karuduyampalayam attempted to cross the tracks between Veerarakkiyam and Palayam. A goods train on a private line owned by Chettinad Cements struck the rear of the vehicle, causing significant damage and panic among passengers.
Locals and fire services rushed to the scene, rescuing the injured and transporting them to Karur Government Medical College Hospital and nearby private facilities. One student with a serious head injury was shifted to a Coimbatore hospital, while 23 others remain under observation; three have been discharged after first aid.
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Senior DMK leader Senthil Balaji visited the injured, confirming 25 casualties including the bus driver and highlighting the dangers of unmanned crossings on private industrial tracks used for clinker transport. Southern Railway clarified the incident falls outside its jurisdiction.
The collision has reignited demands for manned crossings, barriers, and signals at such sites, especially near educational routes in rural Tamil Nadu. Police have registered a case, with investigations focusing on driver visibility and railway safety protocols.
This tragedy underscores persistent infrastructure gaps in India's rail network, where private sidings often lack standard safety features, prompting calls for immediate state and railway interventions to prevent future mishaps.
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