JOIN US A day after the derailment of Ernakulam-bound Intercity Express train, that claimed nine lives, traffic on the rail track was restored on Saturday morning.
Divisional Railway Manager (Bengaluru) Anil Kumar Agarwal told Deccan Herald that the accident site was cleared and restored for traffic.
The accident had resulted in full or partial cancellation or diversion of several trains since Friday. The Ernakulam Intercity Express (train number-12677) had derailed between Anekal Road and Hosur Station, about 80 minutes after the departure from Bengaluru. “The accident site has been cleared and the route has been restored at around 10.15 am. There was no scheduled train in the morning. In the afternoon Kurla Express passed through the same track and reached City Railway Station (Bengaluru) in the afternoon. From Saturday night, trains will run on the same track,” he said.
Agarwal reiterated that the boulder theory was ruled out on Friday itself. “We have no reason to believe that a boulder on the track could have caused the derailment. However, the Commissioner for Railway Safety is looking into all angles that could have led to the accident. As a preliminary probe, track measurement, coach measurement and engine measurement is being analysed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Railways has initiated a statutory inquiry into the derailment. The Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle Bengaluru, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Sateesh Kumar Mittal will hold a statutory inquiry for two days from February 17 at the Divisional Railway Manager’s office.
The Railways has also invited members of public to give evidence in case they have any information about the accident. “Any member of the public having knowledge relating to the accident and matter connected therewith and desiring to give evidence may do so at conference hall at Divisional Railway Manager’s office on February 17 and 18,” a press release said.
Railway officials said people may also write to the Commissioner of Railway Safety, No 7, Seshadri Road, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru – 560 009, or fax to phone number - 080 2226 0650.
Nine passengers were killed and 18 were seriously injured when nine bogies of the Intercity Express derailed near Bidiregere near Anekal, about 45 kms from Bengaluru on Friday morning. The victims included three women and a nine-year-old boy.