New Delhi, July 13, 2023: In light of the tragic triple train collision in Odisha, at least seven railway employees, including three who were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty. The accident, which occurred near Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Balasore district on June 2, resulted in the loss of 293 lives and left over 1,200 people injured.
Anil Kumar Mishra, the General Manager of South Eastern Railway, expressed regret over the incident, stating, “Had the officials been alert, the accident could have been avoided.”
Following an internal investigation, the railways took action by suspending a total of seven employees, including the three individuals apprehended by the CBI. As per protocol, an employee who is arrested remains suspended for 24 hours. Mr. Mishra made these statements after visiting the accident site.
Earlier, the CBI arrested Arun Kumar Mahanta, a senior Section Engineer (signal), along with Section Engineer Mohammed Amir Khan and Technician Pappu Kumar. The CBI has obtained an additional four-day remand for them, starting from Wednesday.
The investigation conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), South Eastern Circle, revealed that the accident resulted from lapses in the alteration of the signaling circuit at the North Signal Goomty of the station.
The collision occurred when the Howrah-bound Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary goods train, leading to the derailment of several coaches. Simultaneously, a few coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express passing by were also affected, causing them to topple over.
The suspensions highlight the seriousness with which railway authorities are addressing the incident and the importance of upholding the highest standards of safety and vigilance. The investigation aims to identify the causes of the accident and hold those responsible accountable for their alleged negligence.
