Date:06/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/06/stories/2008080661000600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Gautami fire report in 15 days

HYDERABAD: Several officials of the South Central Railway (SCR) deposed on Tuesday before Chief Commissioner, Railway Safety, R.P. Agarwal, who is enquiring into the recent fire accident in Gautami Express that claimed 31 lives.

According to official sources, Mr. Agarwal completed the third sitting and, if necessary, would summon witnesses again. He is expected to submit the report on the cause of the accident in 10 to 15 days. Senior SCR officials, including the Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Chief Safety Officer and Chief Electrical Servicing Engineer, were among those present at the hearing.

Friction effect

Special Correspondent from Kadapa adds: Emission of smoke from the brake bindings of Venkatadri Express in Kadapa railway station on Monday night was no cause for concern as it was a normal effect of friction caused by applying brakes, General Manager of South Central Railway A.K. Padhee said on Tuesday.

Mr. Padhi, who visited Kadapa district, inaugurated a closed circuit camera system in Kadapa railway station for increased surveillance.