BHUBANESWAR/RAYAGADA: The train mishap at Kuneru in Andhra Pradesh late Saturday night has again raised questions about the factors responsible for the deadly accidents which occur frequently. This was the third mishap in the last three months.
The incident has thrown up several issues including measures taken by the Railways for the safety of the passengers. Did the accident, which snuffed out 40 lives, take place because of human error or defect in the tracks or sabotage by the Maoists?
The train was hurtling down at high speed and the accident occurred near the east yard facing point which is within one km of the station. Was it sheer negligence on the part of the driver which took away so many lives? Even though Kuneru was a non-stoppage station, should the ill-fated train have passed it in such high speed?
If the accident was not because of a human error, was poor condition of the track because of negligence in maintenance responsible for the tragedy? Did the coaches go down the line and turn turtle while the train was crossing the joints on a track?
Sources said there was rail fracture which caused the derailment. But it has to be ascertained whether the fracture was due to sabotage or because of negligence and lack of maintenance. There are indications of foul play as a goods train passed the same track just two hours before the accident. “Tampering of the tracks can also be a possibility. All this will be taken into account,” Arun Saxena, Additional DG, Public Relations, Indian Railways said.
The high-level probe into the incident by Commissioner, Railway Safety will take into account all these aspects in his investigation. “We will take all angles into consideration. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty. To play with the lives of the people is unforgivable and the guilty will not be spared,” Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said.
However, Odisha Director General of Police KB Singh ruled out the involvement of Maoists in the derailment. “There is no indication of Maoist hand behind the derailment,” Singh told media persons after attending a review meeting chaired by CM Naveen Patnaik.
The derailment took place at around 11 pm on Saturday near Kuneru station when the train was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Jagdalpur. As many as 69 people were injured. Seven passengers were critical while 20 left for their destinations after treatment. Rescue operation was almost over by Sunday evening and there is unlikely to be any more bodies in the mangled coaches. Two AC coaches, four sleeper coaches, two general compartments and the guard-cum-passenger coach besides the engine of the train had derailed and four of these coaches had overturned.
The Railway Minister along with top officials had rushed to spot to take stock of the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik were among those who expressed grief over the incident.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced ` five lakh under an insurance scheme to the kin of victims from the State besides Rs two lakh compensation announced by the Railways. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation at a high-level meeting here. The State Government has decided to give compensation of ` five lakh to the family of each passenger from the State who died besides announcing free treatment for the injured.