TN train accident: Probe hints at sabotage angle; nuts and bolts on track found missing

The Southern Railway has ordered a multi-departmental probe into the circumstances that led to the train accident of Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express at Kavaraipettai on October 11. The 16-page report submitted by the investigation team had revealed that the “nuts and bolts at crucial points on the railway line were missing” and that diverted the train into the loop line. 

The Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express derailed and hit a parked goods train after passing the green signal and ran into the loop line instead of the main line, on October 11. The signal was set for the main line at 90 kmph speed but the express train got into the loop line and rammed into the brake van of the stationed goods train and derailed. 

Fortunately there were no casualties as the empty goods train stationed on the track took all the damage while 14 coaches of the Bagmati Express derailed. Also, the inbuilt Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) features of the coaches in the Bagmati Express played a vital role in reducing the impact of collision. 

The accident was a head on collision, similar to the train accident in Odisha. 

Soon after the accident, the Southern Railway took action to clear the four main lines and ensure smooth traffic, while a seven-member investigation team was set up to probe into the reason for the accident. The team of officers led by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, A.M. Chowdhary, inspected the train accident scene at Kavaraipettai. A detailed enquiry into the accident was conducted by the team.The loco pilot and the assistant loco pilot were also enquired on the circumstances that led to the collision. Train Manager, travelling ticket examiners and many other railway staff were also brought under the investigation ring. They were asked to attend an inquiry session at the southern railway headquarters in Chennai on October 13. The team led by Chowdary also examined the data logger at the station master’s room at Kavaraipettai. The data logger has record of the live train movements. Chowdhary also examined the tracks, signal interlocking system and other aspects connected to the train movement at the Kavaraipettai station, according to sources in the Southern Railway.

The report submitted by the investigation team, according to sources in the Southern Railway, has mentioned about the missing nuts and bolts on the railway line. The report gave details about point no 51- B, which is the point near the accident spot. The report also stated that “nuts and bolts that fix the tongue rail clamp were found missing. Also a bolt of the D bracket was loose. Lock and indication rods were also dislocated”. The report also said that hammering marks were found on the D bracket.

While the sabotage angle is being probed, sources say that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials also examined the accident spot.