The train mishap that claimed three lives and injured a few others at Korei station in Bhadrak-Kapilas Road Railway section under Khordha Road Railway Division of East Coast Railway (ECoR) in Jajpur district on Monday morning has exposed chinks in the maintenance of the facility and in safety measures.
The accident took place when a goods train crashed into the waiting hall at Korei station. The train hit the platform hard as the doors of some bogies were left open. Wagons of the goods train jumped the platform and ran into the waiting hall. And the impact of the mishap was so massive that the walls of the waiting hall collapsed and the station building also suffered damage, said sources.
On the other hand, ECoR cancelled 15 trains and 21 trains diverted following goods train mishap at Korei station in Jajpur district.
An eye-witness said, “As doors of the wagons were left open, train jumped the platform. It might be one of the reasons of the accident. But agencies roped in by the Railway authorities including DRM, GM and technical officials never lock the doors of wagons of the train. When GI wires got snapped today, train hit the base and then jumped the platform before running into the waiting hall. The Railways are responsible for the death of innocent people.”
Another resident said, “Technical team’s finding is absolutely right. Most of the bogies are lying in a dilapidated state. That’s why wagons hit hard the platform.”
"It will be too early to say anything about the reason of the accident, “said senior PRO, ECoR, Nirakar Das adding that “A goods train has to lower its speed while crossing a station. In this case, the train might have been moving at a great speed. Our inquiry team will find out whether the train was moving at a great speed. There were 54 bogies in total and eight bogies jumped onto the platform.”
Another Railway officer said, Eye witnesses came after the incident. Investigation is underway. It will be too early to opine anything about the reason behind mishap. We will let you know after the findings.”