LIVE TV
India
Recommended Stories
Cuttack: The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) will submit its preliminary probe report into the train accident near Kathjodi bridge here within a month. Two passengers had died and 20 others were injured critically when a Bhadrak-bound passenger train had hit a stationery goods train from rear side on September 29.
On Monday statements of 18 witnesses were recorded by the Commissioner.
“We have cross-examined 12 witnesses including officials of Government Railway Police (GRP), Fire Services and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and six others who were injured in the mishap. We have been observing all technical aspects including signalling of the tracks to ascertain the reason behind the incident. It will take around one month to submit the preliminary report,” CRS Sudarshan Naik said.
The official stated the investigation will continue for another 15 days.
Naik refused to comment when asked about the possible reason behind the mishap.
“It will be too early to talk about the reason behind the incident until the probe is complete. There are another 20 witnesses in Bhubaneswar who are yet to be examined. Besides, we need to record statements of the drivers of the affected train and the guard as well. Though prima facie it appears to be jumping of signal, nothing conclusive can be said as of now,” Naik maintained.
Sources said the drivers and the guard of the trains didn’t depose before the Commission on Monday. A reminder notice will be sent to them for appearance, sources added.
“If they don’t feel safe here, I will call them to Kolkata and record their statements,” Naik said adding the investigation will focus on three possible errors -signal, technical and human.
On September 29, a goods train was halting at the Kathjodi railway station when the Bhubaneswar-Bhadrak DMU coming from Bhubaneswar on the same track collided with the goods train from the rear.
