Odisha Train Tragedy: Flaws In Signalling System
NEW DELHI, (IANS) – Initial probe in the Odisha train tragedy has revealed a problem with the signaling system, a Railway Board official said on June 4 while confirming the cause of the accident.
Jaya Varma Sinha, a member of the Railway Board responsible for Operations and Business Development, shared preliminary information regarding the Odisha train tragedy. She further stated that the Board has set up an independent inquiry.
“However, we are still awaiting a comprehensive report from the Commissioner of Railway Safety to obtain detailed information, so we cannot disclose more at this time,” she said.
Sinha mentioned that the Coromandel Express was running at a speed of 128 KMPH, while the Yaahwantpur Express (Bengaluru-Howrah) was moving at 126 KMPH. Both trains were allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 130 KMPH, so there was no question about overseeding.
She further explained that only the Coromandel Express was involved in the accident and fell on the downline (the main line) on which the Yashwantpur Express was approaching.
“The Coromandel Express collided with a goods train carrying iron. The impact of the collision was so strong that the coaches of the Coromandel Express split and fell onto the railway tracks, while the goods train didn’t even budge. Meanwhile, the Yashwantpur Express was also approaching another track when the coaches of the Coromandel Express fell. The Yashwantpur Express had almost passed, but within a fraction of a second, its last two coaches collided with the detached coaches of the Coromandel Express, causing damage,” she said.
The Railway official stated that the digital records do not show any errors. She mentioned that those responsible have been identified but didn’t reveal their names as they were awaiting a detailed report.
