At least four people were killed and several others injured when the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district on Thursday. The tragic incident, which occurred near Pikaura while the train was en route from Chandigarh to Assam’s Dibrugarh, has been attributed to negligence within the railway engineering section, according to an investigative report.
The report, prepared by senior railway officials, reveals that the derailment was primarily caused by failures in the railway engineering department. Sources indicate that a trackman, who was performing keyman duties at Jhilahi, had alerted a junior engineer (JE) about a defect on the track between Motiganj and Jhilahi approximately an hour before the derailment. Despite this warning, the section officer did not take appropriate action to address the issue.
The investigation highlights several critical lapses: the track’s fastening was found to be in poor condition, and there were no caution signs or protective measures put in place despite the advance notice of the defect. The absence of a caution board meant that the train, traveling at 80 km/hr, encountered the compromised track at high speed instead of the recommended 30 km/hr, leading to the derailment at 2:28 p.m. A caution memo regarding the issue was only issued at 2:30 p.m., too late to prevent the disaster.
Following statements from the train driver, manager, station master, and other employees, as well as a technical inspection of the accident site, a team of six officers from the North Eastern Railway (NER) concluded that the negligence of the engineering department was the main factor behind the derailment.
However, Alok Shrivastav, Chief Public Relations Officer of the North Eastern Railway Zone, cautioned that while the investigation has revealed significant issues, a final conclusion cannot be drawn until the investigation is complete. The case underscores the urgent need for improvements in railway safety protocols and the prompt addressing of reported defects to prevent future tragedies.
The derailment has sparked concerns over railway safety standards and the effectiveness of maintenance protocols, raising questions about oversight and accountability within the railway administration. The ongoing investigation is expected to provide further insights into the lapses and lead to measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
Sources By Agencies