Probe indicates sabotage angle; Nuts and bolts missing on the track – The Week

The Southern Railway has ordered an inter-departmental inquiry into the circumstances leading to the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express train accident at Kavaraipettai on October 11. The investigation team’s 16-page report had shown that “the be-all and end-all of…” “There were crucial points missing on the railway line” and the train was diverted to the ring route.

On October 11, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express derailed after passing the green signal and crashed into a parked goods train. He drove onto the ring route instead of the main line, got into the ring route and rammed the brake van of the stationary freight train and derailed.

Fortunately, there were no injuries as the empty freight train standing on the route sustained all the damage while 14 coaches of the Bagmati Express derailed. The built-in Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) functions of the wagons in the Bagmati Express also played a crucial role in reducing the impact of collisions.

The accident was a head-on collision, similar to the train accident in Odisha.

Soon after the accident, the Southern Railway took measures to clear the four main lines and ensure smooth traffic. At the same time, a seven-member investigation team was formed to investigate the cause of the accident. The team of officials led by AM Chowdhary, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, inspected the train accident site at Kavaraipettai. The team conducted a detailed investigation into the accident. The train driver and the train driver’s assistant were also questioned about the circumstances that led to the collision. Train drivers, ticket examiners and many other railway employees were also included in the investigation ring. They have been asked to attend an inquiry meeting at the Southern Railway headquarters in Chennai on October 13. The team led by Chowdary also examined the data logger in the station master’s room in Kavaraipettai. The data logger records the live train movements. According to Southern Railway sources, Chowdhary also inspected the tracks, signal box and other aspects related to train movement at Kavaraipettai station.

According to Southern Railway sources, the report submitted by the investigation team mentioned missing nuts and bolts on the railway line. The report contained details of Point No. 51-B, the point near the accident site. The report also states that “nuts and bolts securing the tongue rail clamp were found to be missing.” Additionally, a D-bracket bolt was found to be loose. The lock and indicator rods were also dislocated.” The report also states that hammer marks were found on the D-clamp.

While the sabotage issue is being probed, National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials have also examined the accident site, sources said.