Train mishap: forensic experts continue probe

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, JULY 1. Southern Railway authorities are working out details for starting two trains to Chennai from Tirur with effect from July 3. According to Railway sources, the trains are expected to originate from Tirur instead of Shoranur, as was being done ever since the mishap involving the Mangalore-Chennai Mail at Kadalundi on June 22.

According to sources, passenger booking in the sleeper coaches, however, will come into effect only from Shoranur. The Mangalore- Chennai Mail, for instance, was expected to leave Tirur at around 5.40 p.m.

The cancellation of south-bound trains and trains to other destinations has caused inconvenience to the travelling public especially daily commuters. There was widespread resentment that Railways were being apathetic even ten days after the mishap.

It was opined that instead of waiting for the commissioning of the new bridge at Kadalundi, the authorities ought to replace the broken pier of the old bridge on a war footing and resume the much needed rail service on this route.

Meanwhile, forensic experts from the State who are here to probe the cause of the mishap involving the Mangalore-Chennai Mail continued their investigations today. The State Forensic Director, Mr. Vishnu Potti and his deputy, Mr. Philipose, are heading the team.

The forensic examination is expected to continue for a couple of days. The team is here on a request from the Chief Railway Safety Commissioner, Mr. R. Rajamani, according to sources. The focus of the forensic examination will be the S-7 coach which according to passengers was jerking severely.

The question now before the investigation teams including that of Railways is whether the derailment of one of the bogies caused the collapse of the rail bridge over the Kadalundipuzha, resulting in the coaches toppling over, or if it was the collapse of the bridge which resulted in the derailment.

Again, if the bridge had collapsed, what were the reasons for the same - age, non repair or otherwise?

Another question haunting Railways as well as the public was whether the alignment of one of the coaches which had reportedly been severely jerking was responsible for the tragedy.

The team is expected to give its report in a week.

According to PTI, oceanographic experts will arrive at the accident site to assist the probe by July 6. The forensic experts had been examining railway lines, coaches and wheels of the compartments which fell into the river to find out the cause of the mishap.

The Railway investigation was conducted by the chief commissioner of Railway Safety, Mr. R. Rajamani, and the safety commissioner, Mr. Pranab Kumar Sen. The team has since left for Chennai. The preliminary report will be submitted within the next ten days.

Allegations of efforts to destroy evidence were also rife. Sources allege that the third pier of the bridge which had a deep crack and had broken off has still not been brought up from the river bed. It has been pointed out that the request to have the water drained off from around the pier or have the broken piece brought up has not been complied with by the authorities.

The Kozhikode Branch of the Southern Railway Employees Union has demanded that an expert committee headed by a Supreme Court judge conduct an inquiry into the mishap and reveal the truth. The union pointed out that the funds and personnel of Railways were being cut down for the last many years. Moreover, timely checks and repairs of coaches, bridges and track were not being carried out and all this had resulted in recurrence of accidents.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : TN: Mani welcomes Centre's decision
Next     : Discussion held on financial crisis