Tag: Odisha government

Odisha train accident: CBI team reaches Balasore

Balasore: A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reached Odisha to speak to the concerned officers in connection with the Balasore triple train tragedy.

As of now, the CBI has not made any official statement in this connection.

According to sources, the team reached Balasore Monday night.

“We haven’t registered a case in this matter as of now. We are examining the incident spot,” the source said.

The Railway Board had on Sunday recommended for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the train accident.

“The way this accident happened, looking at the conditions, and according to the administrative information, the Railway Board is recommending the probe to the CBI,” Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said on Sunday.

Vaishnaw came under fire from the opposition parties which are demanding his resignation. The opposition has been citing several reports and audits that highlighted the lapses on the part of Railways.

In one of the horrific tragedies, at least 275 people died while over 1,000 were injured when 21 coaches of two — Coromandel Express and SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express — and a goods train collided and derailed on Friday evening near Bahanaga Bazar Railway station in Odisha’s Balasore.
(With inputs from IANS)

June 6, 2023
Odisha train tragedy: AIIMS Bhubaneswar releases album for identification of bodies

Bhubaneswar: A total of 123 dead bodies of the Odisha train tragedy have been received by AIIMS Bhubaneswar by Monday that is June 5, 2023.

It is to be noted that out of the 123 bodies that were received as many as 40 dead bodies have been identified and handed over to their families.

An album has been prepared by the government to record the deaths and help the relatives of the deceased to identify the bodies and then take them.

Here is and official link to the album that has been released by AIIMS Bhubaneswar:

CLICK HERE FOR THE ALBUM

By taking a looking at the album, the family members will be able to recognize their relatives. People from different states have come to AIIMS to search for their relatives, say reliable reports.

The people reaching AIIMS Bhubaneswar shall be given all possible support from the hospital to identify and take away the bodies of their relatives. The treatment of those injured is also underway at full pace.

The above information was provided at a media briefing by the Director of AIIMS Bhubaneshwar, Ashutosh Biswas.

The bodies that have reached Bhubaneswar have been kept at the following hospitals, namely:

A. AIIMS, Bhubaneswar

B. AMRI, Bhubaneswar

C. SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar

D. Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar

E. KIMS Hospital, Bhubaneswar

F. Hi-Tech Hospital, Bhubaneswar

The photos of the unidentified bodies are also available in the website of State Government: www.bmc.gov.in

All concerned are requested to Contact Railways in the Following Helpline Numbers for any assistance:

Bhubaneswar- 0674 – 2534027
Cuttack- 8455889917
Khurda Road- 0674 – 2492245 & 8455887999
State Government- 1929
It is worth mentioning that the entire world has mourned the terrible Odisha train tragedy that occurred at Bahanga station in Balasore district of Odisha on Friday evening. In this accident as many as 275 people have lost their lives and at least 1175 people have been injured.

Meanwhile, restoration work is underway at the site where the horrific train accident took place. More than 7 Poclain Machines, 2 Accident Relief Trains, and 3-4 Railway and Road Cranes have been deployed for early restoration.

June 5, 2023
Odisha train accident: Passengers traveling without ticket also to get compensation

Balasore: The Railway Ministry has confirmed that the passengers traveling without tickets in the ill-fated Coromandel express train will also get the compensation. Officials said that this will be done as per the orders of the Supreme Court.

Railway spokesperson Amitabh Sharma said that passengers will be compensated whether they have tickets or not. On the other hand, Railway Board member Jaya Burma Sinha said that every injured passenger admitted to the hospital has a scout or guide to help them find their relatives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced additional ex-gratia compensation for those who died or suffered injuries in the Balasore train accident on Friday evening.

This is apart from the compensation announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

“An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the train mishap in Odisha. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” Modi tweeted.

Vaishnaw had earlier announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh for those dead, Rs 2 lakh for those grievously injured, and Rs 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced exgratia for the victims of the Bahanaga train tragedy. The assistance will be given from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The next of kin of the deceased will get assistance of Rs5 lakh and those who sustained serious injuries will get Rs 1 lakh as assistance.

It is to be noted here that the biggest train accident of the century which took place at Bahanaga railway station in Balasore district of Odisha on Friday claimed over 275 lives while over 1175 were injured in the mishap.

June 5, 2023
Odisha train tragedy: Free bus service for stranded passengers, 59 buses leave for Kolkata

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced that free bus service would be available for stranded passengers to Kolkata from Puri, Cuttack, and Bhubaneswar till the train services are normalized.

As per reports, 20 buses from Puri, 23 buses from Bhubaneswar and 16 from Cuttack has left for Kolkata as free service last night at around 11.30 pm.

The decision was taken after rail services were affected after major train accident took place in Bahangana of Balasore and affected the route. Till the accident site have been restored and train services resumed the relatives of the victims who are stranded in Odisha will travel in those buses.

The entire cost will be borne from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and the arrangement will continue till restoration of trains.

Daily around 50 buses will provide transport services to Kolkata from Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Yesterday, the train movement has been resumed after up and down lines were restored after 51 hours of the Coromandel train accident in Balasore district. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present when the train movement was resumed after the completion of the restoration of the track on Sunday.

June 5, 2023
Odisha Train Accident: Interrogation of Bahanaga Station Master underway

Balasore: The investigation on the Coromandel train accident near the Bahanaga station of Balasore district is in full swing. The Bahanga Bazar Station Master SB Mohanty is presently being interrogated by the Railway Safety Commissioner team.

Station Master SB Mohanty was in charge when the fatal accident occurred. He is being interrogated about the status of the signal and what changes were made, said reliable sources. Similarly, a public hearing on behalf of the commissioner will be done today. Local people have been asked to give their opinion.

According to reports, Bahanaga Assistant Station Master SB Mohanty, who was on duty, fled from the spot after the train accident took place. Meanwhile, a case regarding the train accident has been registered at the Balasore GRP Police station.

On the other hand, the Railway Board has recommended the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the accident.

Earlier, train movement was resumed after up and down lines were restored after 51 hours after the Coromandel train accident. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was also present when the train movement was resumed after the completion of the restoration of the track on Sunday.

Yesterday at 10.40 pm, the good train passed through Bahanga Bazar station. However, the railway department has not specified when the passenger train will run through this route.

It is worth mentioning that the entire world has mourned the terrible Odisha train tragedy that occurred at Bahanga station in the Balasore district of Odisha on Friday evening. In this accident, as many as 275 people have lost their lives and at least 1175 people have been injured.

June 5, 2023
‘Change In Electronic Interlocking’ Behind 3-Way Train Crash In Odisha; Know What It Means

Bhubaneswar: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday indicated human involvement in the one of the worst train accidents in 2 decades, which left 275 passengers dead and 1,175 injured.

“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,” he said.

An interlocking system ensures that the movable sections of track that allow trains to change direction from one track to another at railway junctions, stations, and signalling points are properly aligned and locked at the correct position before a train can pass over them. It is managed and coordinated through integration of signals, points (switches), and track circuits, which detect the presence of a train, using computers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and communication networks.

“Whoever has done it, has done such a change to the point machine… the configuration of the track, which enables everything to function together, has been changed and that is why the accident has happened,” he said.

It is still not clear whether the reason was “human error”, or whether there is a possibility of deliberate action or sabotage. “It is not right to comment on this… it is possible to comment, but not proper… I can say only after the independent agency (submits its report. But the probe is over…”

Vaishaw, however, clarified that the accident had nothing to do with the collision avoidance system.

Investigation so far revealed that the Coromandel, running at over 120kmph, entered the loop line in a probable signalling error and crashed into a parked freight train.

After visiting the injured at a hospital in Balasore in Odisha on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “Strictest action will be taken against those found guilty in the train accident incident. No one will be spared.”

June 4, 2023
Explained: Kavach Could Not Have Prevented Odisha Train Accident

Bhubaneswar: The Railways on Sunday dismissed speculation that the automatic train protection system Kavach could have prevented the triple crash in Odisha’s Balasore district.

Member of Operation and Business Development, Railway Board, Jaya Varma Sinha reasoned that the reaction time and distance were very short as the train was travelling at a very high speed. “If an obstruction comes suddenly in front of a high-moving vehicle then no technology in the world would prevent an accident,” she told a presser.

Kavach developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) to boost train safety, came into the spotlight following the 3-way collision which resulted in 275 deaths. The system is not yet available on the route the accident took place.

Sinha further mentioned about some kind of interference – “manual, weather-related, or anything else” – leading to the accident. “Inquiry is underway, we are investigating all angles. Prima facie it appears to be an issue of signalling, but we cannot authenticate anything as of now. There is possibility of equipment failure in all electronics systems. It would be revealed by a full probe,” she added.

A preliminary probe had revealed that Coromandel Express had accidentally entered the loop line and crashed into a goods train parked just ahead of the Bahanagar Bazar station while Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express capsized after crashing into its scattered coaches on the adjacent track.

Sinha also dismissed reports that the trains were overspending at the time. “Safety is the top priority for Railways. We are making sure that the evidence does not get tampered and that any witness does not get affected. The driver of the train who sustained serious injuries said that the train moved forward only after it received a ‘Green’ signal. Neither did he jump any signal nor the train was overspeeding,” she told ANI.

Coromandel Express had been moving at a speed of 128 kmph while the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was running at a speed of 116 kmph, a PTI report said quoting sources.

“Our helpline number 139 is available. This is not a call centre number, our senior officers are answering the calls and we are trying to connect as many people as possible. The family members of the injured or deceased can call us and we will make sure that they are able to meet them. We will take care of their journey and other expenses,” she added.

June 4, 2023
Odisha Police Warns Of Severe Action After Tweets Give Communal Spin To Train Accident

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police has warned of severe legal action against those trying to give a “communal colour” to June 2 triple train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district, which claimed 275 lives.

“It has come to notice that some social media handles are mischievously giving communal colour to the tragic train accident at Balasore. This is highly unfortunate. Investigation by the GRP, Odisha into the cause and all other aspects of the accident is going on,” it tweeted.

People have been urged to desist from spreading “false and ill-motivated posts”, it added.

A Twitter user named The Random Indian (@randomsena) had shared an aerial view of the accident site with an arrow directed towards a white building, which it presumed to be a mosque. The user captioned it as ‘Just Saying Yesterday Was Friday’.

Just Saying
Yesterday Was Friday pic.twitter.com/HWz3zoCnS0

— The Random Indian (@randomsena) June 3, 2023

This particular tweet was part of a thread wherein the user tried to establish that the train accident was a planned attack by Muslims while the Railways attributed the derailment to an error in the electronic signalling system that led Coromandel Express to wrongly change tracks and crash into a freight train.

Several other users tweeted the same image.

A journalist at the spot later told Alt News that the structure near the accident was the Bahanaga ISKCON temple and not a mosque. Fact-checking website, BOOM FactCheck, also confirmed the same after examining several pictures of the site.

Another user tweeted that the devastating train accident on auspicious Friday, when special observance are practised for Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswari and Kali, is a very bad omen for the Prime Minister.

June 4, 2023
Odisha train accident: SCR announces cancellation of more trains

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway (SCR) has announced cancellation of few more trains due to train disaster in Odisha in Kharagpur-Bhadrak section of South Eastern Railway.

The authorities cancelled at least 10 trains and diverted a few more trains as the track at the accident site is yet to be restored for rail traffic.

The cancelled trains are train number 18046 Hyderabad-Shalimar, 22855 Santragachi-Tirupati, 22856 Tirupati-Santragachi, 12245 Howrah-SMVT Bengaluru, 18045 Shalimar-Hyderabad, 12841 Shalimar-MGR Chennai Central, 18048 Vasco-Da-Gama-Howrah, 18048/17604 (slip coaches) Vasco-Da-Gama-Shalimar/Kacheguda, 1703 Howrah-Secunderabad and 12840 Chennai Central-Howrah.

Train number 22305 SMVT Bengaluru-Jasidih was rescheduled to depart at 12.30 hours instead of scheduled departure of 10 hours. Train number 12864 SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah departed at 13.00 hours instead of scheduled departure of 10.35 hours. Similarly 12246 SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah departed at 13.30 hours instead of scheduled departure of 11.20 hours.

Train number 12663 Howrah-Tiruchirappalli and Train number 12504 Agartala-SVMT Bengaluru with original route Kharagpur-Visakhapatnam will be diverted through Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Rourkela and Jharsuguda.

Train number 12513 Secunderabad-Guwahati has been diverted via Kharagpur, Tata Rourkela and Jharsuguda.

The SCR also announced that 17603 Kacheguda-Yelahanka and 17604 Yelahanka-Kacheguda have been augmented with one coach each of AC II Tier, AC III Tier and Sleeper.

June 4, 2023
Balasore train accident: PM Modi hails Odisha govt, local residents for rescue operation & help

Balasore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Odisha government and local residents for taking all possible efforts for the swift action for rescue operation following train accident at Bahanaga of Balasore district.

While speaking to the media persons after reviewing situation at the accident site and meeting the injured persons at the Balasore District Headquarter Hospital, Modi said, “I thank Odisha government and local administration for doing their best to help the people. I also thank the local residents from the bottom of my heart because during this time of tragedy be it blood donation or help during rescue operation, they have done everything to their capacity. Their timely helped to accelerate the rescue operation work.”

June 3, 2023