Bhubaneswar: Train movement resumed on Monday on the up-line at the site of accident in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh following completion of track repair and restoration work.
After a trial run on the restored track, Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prasanti Express was allowed to move at 2.36 pm on Monday, according East Coast Railway (EcoR).
The track and OHE was given fit for UP line at 1335 hrs and at Down line at 1355 hrs. Thereafter, first goods train passed in down line at 1423hrs. It was followed by the 18463 Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prashanti Express, which departed Alamanda Station at 1436hrs & passed through UP line.
First passenger carrying train 18463 Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prashanti Exp passed on affected line at 1436hrs. @RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/AZaLP23Q6N
— East Coast Railway (@EastCoastRail) October 30, 2023
EcoR officials said train movement is now allowed at a restricted speed and it will take some time to restore complete normalcy.
As many as eight poclain machines, one 140 tons crain and 800 to 900 manpower were engaged in the restoration work which was taken up on a war-footing basis at the accident site.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Rail Safety (CRS) started an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Earlier in the day, the CPRO of the East Coast Railway, Biswajit Sahu stated that the rescue operation had been completed and the passengers stuck in the bogies had been rescued.
The CRS along with a team of officials visited the site and started an investigation into the causes of the mishap after damaged coaches were removed from the tracks. The Commissioner will submit a report to the Railways Ministry.
On the other hand, the health condition of 10 out of 29 injured passengers is stated to be critical while 11 out of 13 deceased have been identified, he added.
It may be noted here that the Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger train (08532) and Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger Special train (08504) were involved in the accident on Sunday evening between Alamanda and Kantakapalle in Vizianagaram-Kottavalasa Railway Section of Waltair Division of the ECoR.
