‘Fault in track’ may have caused Bihar train accident: Internal inquiry report

Four people were killed and 71 injured in the accident, which took place near Raghunathpur railway station in Bihar’s Buxar district.

Rescuers and locals gather around coaches of the North-East Express passenger train that derailed late Wednesday near Raghunathpur station in Buxar district of Bihar. (Photo: AP)

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A joint internal inquiry by the Railways has noted that the derailment of the Guwahati-bound Northeast Express on Wednesday night “occurred due to fault in track”, and that the responsibility lies with the engineering department, The Indian Express has learnt.

Four people were killed and 71 injured in the accident, which took place near Raghunathpur railway station in Bihar’s Buxar district. The up-line (Patna-Buxar) has been restored while the restoration of the down-line is underway.

While a probe is underway by the commissioner, railway safety, a 17-point joint report of railways functionaries concerned observed that “the down-line track was fully disturbed between KM No. 628/26 to KM No. 629/10”.

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As per the report, the railway crossing gateman said that after 8-10 coaches passed through the crossing, he observed “sparking and heavy noise”. The report said that all 23 coaches and the engine got “derailed by all wheels”, and the “end portion of platform number 4 was infringed upon by the derailed coach”.

The report added: “As per statement of LP (loco pilot), while passing LC gate 59-B (railway crossing before Raghunathpur railway platform), he felt heavy vibrations and suddenly pressure in engine dropped”.

The report also said that two coaches “fully capsized” and one coach “partially capsized”.

An ECR official said: “Everything will come out in the report of the commissioner, railway safety.” He said preparation of the joint report is standard procedure after any accident.

Santosh Singh

Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. Expertise He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More

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