New Delhi: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the triple train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2 was a result of lapses in the ‘signalling circuit alteration’, leading to wrong signals.
Vaishnaw was replying to questions posed by Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader John Brittas, and Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh in the Rajya Sabha on the tragedy.
The leaders asked the government to clarify whether the commissioner of railway safety (CRS) had submitted its report regarding the crash.
“The rear-collision was due to the lapses in the signalling circuit alteration carried out at the North Signal Goomty (of the station) in the past, and during the execution of the signalling work related to replacement of Electric Lifting Barrier for level crossing gate no. 94 at the Station. These lapses resulted in wrong signalling to the Train No. 12841 wherein the UP Home Signal indicated a Green aspect for run-through movement on the UP main line of the station,” Vaishnaw said in his written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
“But the crossover connecting the UP main line to the UP loop line (crossover 17 A/B) was set to the UP loop line; the wrong signalling resulted in the Train No. 12841 traversing on the UP loop line, and eventual rear-collision with the Goods train (No. N/DDIP) standing there,” he added.
Congress leader Mukul Wasnik asked the government about the number of people who died and those who suffered injuries in the train accident.
The railway minister said, “295 passengers lost their lives, 176 sustained grievous injuries, 451 suffered simple injuries and 180 received first aid treatment and left.”
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Wasnik further asked what steps the government is taking to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The minister replied saying that instructions have been enforced to follow the protocol for any alteration works involving changes in the
existing system. He added the “concept of Rolling Block was introduced wherein work of maintenance/repair/replacement is planned for two weeks in advance on a rolling basis and executed accordingly.”
He further said that a special drive has been launched to ensure (i) double locking arrangement in Relay Room/Goomties at LC gates, IBH and auto Huts; (ii) Data logging and generation of SMS alert for opening/closing of doors of these relay rooms/Goomties; (iii) System of disconnection and reconnection for S&T equipment is being followed strictly as per laid down norms and guidelines.”
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M. Shanmugam asked about the details of the compensation paid to which Vaishnaw replied, “Till 16 July, 2023, Rs 29.49 crores has been paid as enhanced ex-gratia, Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, Rs 2 lakh each to the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 – each to the passengers with simple injury. As on 13.07.2023, 258 claim cases have been received in various benches of the Railway Claims Tribunal, out of which, 51 claims cases have been disposed off.”