Odisha train accident: Root cause identified, says Railways Minister Vaishnaw
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday that the root cause of the triple train crash in Odisha's Balasore—which killed nearly 300—had been identified. The minister, who was present at the accident site to supervise the restoration work, told ANI that the investigation into the horrific accident was complete and that the report would soon be submitted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
'Happened due to change in electronic interlocking': Vaishnaw
Talking about the probe into the Balasore train accident, Vaishnaw said, "The Commissioner of Railway Safety has investigated the matter and let the investigation report come, but we have identified the cause of the incident and the people responsible for it." "It happened due to a change in electronic interlocking. Right now, our focus is on restoration," he said without furnishing further details.
Watch: Railways Minister Vaishnaw speaking about probe
Restoration going on war footing basis: Railways Ministry
According to reports, the Railways Ministry is restoring the rails at the accident site in Balasore on a war footing. The Ministry of Railways stated in a tweet on Saturday that its personnel are actively monitoring the repair efforts at the accident location. Most tracks on the main line connecting eastern and southern India were reportedly cleared of destroyed train carriages overnight.
Watch: Video of restoration work shared by Railways Ministry
What is electronic interlocking?
Electronic interlocking (EI)is a crucial component of modern railway signaling that enables the safe passage of the train through controlled areas. According to the Indian Railways' Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the interlocking logic in the EI system is based on software that allows for a quick change in case of emergency without the need for wiring alterations.
Know about triple train crash
Reportedly, the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express collided with a stationary goods train in a loop line near Bahanaga Bazaar Railway Station. The train was passing through the station since it wasn't intended to stop there. However, instead of passing, it reportedly entered the loop line and collided with the parked goods train. Later, a Howrah-bound train also derailed on adjacent tracks.
