CHENNAI: A day after the train accident at Kavaraipettai station, 40km north of Chennai, in which nine passengers were injured after the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express rammed into a goods train and derailed on Friday night, separate investigations have been initiated by the NIA, Government Railway Police, and RPF to probe the possibility of sabotage. Critical bolts and brackets were found open with missing nuts at the signalling points, sources said.
The accident occurred when 1,800 passengers were travelling on the train, but fortunately there were no fatalities.
In a press statement late on Friday, the Railway Board said the passenger train was given a green signal for the main line but it experienced a jerk and entered the loop line, resulting in the collision with the freight train. On Saturday, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Bengaluru, A M Chowdhary initiated a thorough inspection of the tracks, points and blocks, signals, station electronic interlocking systems, control panels and other significant safety, signal and operational aspects.
Meanwhile, over 500 workers are engaged in clearing the tracks, and partial train service resumed around 9.05 pm on the Gudur-Chennai section. Around 20 express trains to Vijayawada, Hyderabad, and other destinations, and daily MEMU services on the section were suspended.
On Friday, the Bagmati Express departed from Perambur at 7.50 pm and reached Kavaraipettai near Gummidipundi around 8.30pm. Travelling at 109 km/h, the express reduced speed to 75 km/h before entering the loop line and collided with the rear coaches of the freight train near the guard’s coach.
The impact derailed the locomotive and eight coaches of the Bagmati Express, while two others – a power car and motor van – caught fire. Two coaches of the freight train also derailed.
Stranded passengers from the express train were transported in buses to Ponneri and then to Chennai Central by two special suburban trains early morning. A special train left Chennai Central at 4.45 am carrying the passengers to Dharbhanga via Arakkonam, Renigunta and Gudur.
The accident severely damaged two tracks (down main line, down loop line) for about 500 metres, signal and telecommunication cables, overhead lines, and power cables. Rescue and accident relief equipment were transported using the two up lines (toward Chennai). To clear the wreckage, five earthmovers, three JCBs, two 140-tonne cranes, re-railing equipment, and accident relief trains have been deployed.