Sources report that a team of five senior railway officials investigating the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express attributed the accident to inadequately fastened rail tracks. However, one panel member expressed dissenting views, and a Railway spokesperson deemed the findings premature.
The rail track was improperly fastened, leading to ineffective operation of the fastening mechanism.
However, the chief public relations officer of the North Eastern Railway Zone, overseeing the accident site, informed PTI that it would be incorrect to draw any conclusions based on the joint probe report.
The Commissioner of Railway Safety has initiated its investigation, commencing with the first hearing on Friday. The inquiry will meticulously examine every aspect of the accident, including technical specifications and minute details. The CPRO emphasized that the joint probe does not cover many critical aspects, thereby rendering any premature conclusions unwarranted.
On Thursday, the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express (Train no. 15904) between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations near Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left several injured.
Derailment investigation
According to the investigation team’s report, the senior section engineer of the Lucknow division, responsible for the section, identified an immediate removal defect (IMR) at 1:30 p.m., and the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express passed Motiganj station at 2:28 p.m.
The report indicated that at 2:30 p.m., the station master of Motiganj received instructions to impose a speed restriction of 30 kmph for trains passing through the faulty area. According to the findings, the derailment occurred at 2:31 p.m. when the engine traversed the defective section.
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The joint probe stated that upon detecting the IMR at 1:30 p.m., the authorities should have safeguarded the site until issuing the caution order. However, they did not implement this precaution, resulting in the train derailment. The engineering department bears responsibility for this oversight.”
Covering railway track
On Saturday, more than 30 railway workers remained vigilant around the railway track, covering damp areas with gravel and soil. Despite these efforts, there were signs of waterlogging near the track after the procedure. It is reported that the weakening of the track occurred due to waterlogging, leading to a major accident.
On Sunday, the DRM office in Lucknow summoned 41 railway officials and employees from Gonda, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati (Maligaon). Many more may face consequence after the statement release.
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