’Only Coromandal Express met with an accident, goods train did not derail’ says Railway Board | Top points

Railway Board on 4 June held press conference on Odisha Train tragic accident and said that there was some issue with the signalling and only Coromandel Express met with an accident in Balasore that claimed the lives of 275 passengers. 

While addressing a press conference, Jaya Varma Sinha, Member of Operation and Business Development said that the train was at a speed of around 128 km/h.

“According to the preliminary findings, there has been some issue with the signalling. We are still waiting for the detailed report from the Commissioner of Railway Safety. Only Coromandal Express met with an accident. The train was at a speed of around 128 km/h,” she said.

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She further added that the goods train did not get derailed since it was carrying iron ores and had maximum damage on Coromandel Express. Further adding, she said the derailed bogies of Coromandel Express came on the down line, and hit the last two bogies of Yashwantpur Express which was crossing at the speed of 126 km/h from down line.

Also Read: ‘Change in electronic interlocking system led to Odisha train accident.’ What it means explained by Indian Railways

“The goods train did not get derailed. Since the goods train was carrying iron ores, the maximum damage of the impact was on Coromandel Express. This is the reason for a huge number of deaths and injuries. The derailed bogies of Coromandel Express came on the down line, and hit the last two bogies of Yashwantpur Express which was crossing at the speed of 126 km/h from down line,” she said.

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- During the conference, Jaya Verma Sinha further added that senior officers are answering the calls and are trying to connect as many people as possible. “Our helpline number 139 is available. This is not a call centre number, our senior officers are answering the calls and we are trying to connect as many people as possible. The family members of the injured or deceased can call us and we will make sure that they are able to meet them. We will take care of their journey and other expenses,” she said.

- When asked if Kavach could have prevented the accident, she said, If an obstruction comes suddenly in front of a high-moving vehicle, then no technology in the world would prevent an accident."

- She further added that at least two railway lines are expected to be operational by 8pm today at the site but will start running at a low speed. “With restoration work underway, at least two railway lines are expected to be operational by 8pm today at the site. We expect that trains will start running at a low speed,” she said.

- Sinha during the conference said that Railways first focused on relief and rescue work after the accident. "Railways first did relief and rescue work after the accident and after that repair work is being done. There are four lines at Bahanaga station. It has two main lines. There was a goods train on the loop line. The driver had received the green signal at the station. Both vehicles were running at full speed," she said.

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Secy Pradeep Jena clarified that the death toll is 275 and not 288 and out of the 1,175 injured, 793 have been discharged after treatment. While speaking to news agency ANI, “The death toll is 275 and not 288. The data was checked by DM and it was found that some bodies have been counted twice, so the death toll has been revised to 275. Out of 275, 88 bodies have been identified. Out of 1,175 injured, 793 have been discharged after treatment. The figure will be updated around 2 pm," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)