Preliminary Probe Into Odisha Rail Mishap: Coromandel Entered Loop Line, Hit Goods Train

Balasore: The Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express may have entered the loop line and hit the static goods train on Friday evening as per preliminary investigations into the horrific train accident at Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha’s Balasore district.

The preliminary probe report accessed by PTI said the signal was given and taken off for the ‘Up main line’ for Chennai-bound train No. 12841. The train, travelling at a very high speed, diverted to the loop line, rammed into the goods train and several bogies got derailed.

In the meantime, train No. 12864 (Yeswanthpur-Howrah Superfast Express) arrived on the ‘Down main line’ and capsized after crashing into the derailed Coromandel Express, resulting in a scary pile-up of disastrous proportions.

While the Coromandel Express was travelling at a speed of 128 kmph, Howrah-bound Superfast Express was running at 116 kmph, according to the early report which has been submitted to the Railway Board.

It was initially being said that the Coromandel Express derailed and then hit the goods train, after which several coaches of the passenger train flipped over and landed on the opposite track.

What Is A Loop Line?

A loop line of Indian Railways is constructed near a station to accommodate more trains and ease out operations. Loop lines are generally 750 metres in length to accommodate full-length goods train with multiple engines.

In yesterday’s accident, the goods train was waiting in the loop line perhaps to facilitate the passing of Coromandel Express, which is an important train connecting east India with the south.

Some compartments of the two passenger trains, which were carrying an estimated 2,000 passengers, were twisted and mangled in such a way that hundreds of passengers got trapped.

Around 290 people have lost their lives as per latest estimated, while nearly 1,000 have been injured.