Balasore train tragedy: Cause of accident will transpire after probe, says Railway Safety Commissioner

Three days after the Balasore train tragedy, which claimed 275 lives and left over 1000 injured, Railway Safety Commissioner Shailesh Kumar Pathak on Monday visited the accident site and took stock of the situation. 

After reaching the spot, he visited the station signal room, control room and interacted with the officials present there. 

“The Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle has already initiated a probe. He is doing his independent enquiry. Once the report is received, the findings will be intimated to you,” said Pathak. 

When asked whether the failure of the signal system can be attributed to the tragedy, he parried the question and said, “It is too early to say anything about it.”

Notably, the Railway Board has recommended for an inquiry by the CBI, as a conspiracy behind this mishap can’t be ruled out. 

Meanwhile, the traffic on the affected route has been restored. A coal-laden goods train from Vizag port rolled on the restored tracks towards Rourkela Steel Plant at around 10.40 pm on Sunday. Later, passenger trains were also allowed to run on the tracks.