Railway Safety Commissioner Visits Odisha Train Crash Site; Know What He Says About Cause

Balasore: Three days after the deadly triple train crash in Odisha’s Balasore district, Railway Safety Commissioner Shailesh Kumar Pathak visited the accident site on Monday as part of the independent probe to ascertain the cause.

Soon after reaching the site at Bahanaga, Pathak visited the railway station signal room, control room and interacted with the officials present there.

Stating that an independent enquiry is being conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle, Pathak said the findings of the statutory investigation will be made available once the complete report is obtained.

On the possible cause of the mishap that claimed at least 275 lives and left 1175 people injured, he said that the reason will be known only after the whole probe process is complete. It is too early to say anything about the exact cause of the accident at this juncture, said Pathak.

It may be noted here that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday stated that the Railway Board has recommended for an inquiry by the CBI into the horrific train mishap.

Meanwhile, train movement on the affected route has resumed. A coal-laden goods train from Vizag port rolled on the restored tracks towards Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) on Sunday night. Subsequently, passenger trains were also allowed to move on the tracks.

Howrah-Puri Vande Bharat Express crossed Bahanaga Bazar Station on restored tracks around 9.30 am on Monday. The Railway Minister was present at the accident site and waved to the drivers when the Odisha’s first semi-high speed train passed through, officials said, adding that trains are now passing through accident site at slow speed.