The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into the triple-train accident that occurred near the Bahanaga railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district.
The Railway Board has recommended a CBI probe into the tragic incident, which has claimed the lives of 278 individuals, with three more individuals succumbing to their injuries.
A 10-member team from the CBI arrived in Balasore on Monday evening and began their investigation on Tuesday. The officials are meticulously examining the accident site, railway tracks, signalling room, control room, and other relevant areas, as they seek to uncover the causes behind this catastrophic event.
Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), Shailesh Kumar Pathak, also visited the accident site on Monday. Pathak inspected the control room, signal room, and signal point at Bahanaga Bazar railway station as part of the preliminary assessment.
Aditya Kumar Choudhury, the Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of the South Eastern Railway, confirmed the arrival of the CBI team and emphasized that the investigation was underway. Choudhury explained that the CBI follows a specific procedure during their investigations and that they would gather all necessary evidence and details from the scene.
In a significant development, Rinkesh Ray, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Khurda Road division, spoke to the media and raised suspicions of potential “physical tampering” within the Bahanaga station’s system.
According to Ray, the main line’s signal was displaying a green light, which signifies that all pre-conditions necessary for a train to proceed were met. However, data records indicate that the Coromandel Express, as it approached the station, unexpectedly moved to the loop line despite the green signal.
Roy’s statement suggests the possibility of deliberate interference with the signal system, pointing to potential sabotage as a contributing factor to the tragic accident.
While Ray’s statement raises questions about the integrity of the railway system, a comprehensive investigation by both the CBI and the CCRS will determine the exact cause of the accident. (Edited)