An initial inquiry report on the Chhattisgarh train accident has blamed the crew of the Bilaspur-bound Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) passenger train for the incident, saying they “failed to control the train at danger signal”.
Eleven people – including the loco pilot – were killed and 20 injured when the Gevra Road–Bilaspur passenger train rammed into a stationary goods train a few kilometres from the city in Lalkhadan around 4 pm Tuesday.
In its report, the South East Central Railway (SECR), headquartered in Bilaspur, said the crew was responsible for not “controlling the train at the right time and right position before danger signal and committed SPAD case”.
A ‘SPAD case’ refers to a Signal Passed at Danger event, when a train passes a stop signal without authority.
The report said the passenger train’s “reduced speed” just before the collision was 76 kmph.
This comes even as the Commissioner of Railway Safety – under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation – continues to probe the incident.
The Central Public Relations Officer (CPRO) and the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) were not available for comment. The family of deceased loco pilot Vidya Sagar could also not be reached, nor could the two passenger crew members undergoing treatment for injuries.
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Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Railway Safety began the inquiry Wednesday. It is being conducted by B. K. Mishra, Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle, Kolkata, under Section 113 of the Indian Railways Act.
A press note from Indian Railways said: “Any person having information regarding this accident and the facts related to it and willing to give evidence can appear and give evidence on the above mentioned date and place or can send information in writing to the Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle, New Koilaghat Building (12th Floor), 14, Strand Road, Kolkata 700001 or email to crssec@er.railnet.gov.in.”
The Bilaspur Police have registered an FIR in the case. The FIR, based on a memo given by a railway employee, books unknown people under provisions for causing and wrongful restraint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as sections of The Railway Act, 1989.
“Right now, it’s not clear if it was a signal failure that led to the incident or the loco pilot who lost his life in the tragedy after jumping the signal. The investigation would have been easier had there been cameras inside the loco pilot’s cabin,” one officer said.
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The police will now question the assistant loco pilot who survived the incident but is admitted to a hospital for treatment.
“We will also send a questionnaire to railway officials and passengers to know more,” the officer said.
