Balasore (Odisha) [India], June 4 (ANI): Former MoS Railways and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reached Balasore’s triple train tragedy site and hailed the efforts being put in by the relief teams in the rescue operation. The Balasore train accident where two passenger trains and a goods carriage were involved claimed 288 lives so far while over 1,000 people sustained injuries.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and AICC In-Charge A Chella Kumar to visit the train crash site in Odisha to take stock of the situation. “I want to applaud the relief teams present at the site. I wouldn’t say they are not trying…they absolutely are. But all these tasks should have happened before such incidents occur, it is happening after the incident. If this kind of method was there before the incident, then perhaps we would not have seen the accident,” said Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary.

Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw who reviewed the restoration work at the Balasore triple train collision site, said that the accident that claimed the lives of 288 passengers happened due to a change in electronic interlocking.

Ashwini Vaishnaw while speaking to ANI said that the commissioner of railway safety has investigated the matter and identified the cause of the incident and the people responsible for it. “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,” Vaishnaw told ANI.

The Railway Minister further added the focus right now is on the restoration and the target is to finish the work by Wednesday morning. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspected the site yesterday. We will try to restore the track today. All bodies have been removed. Our target is to finish the restoration work by Wednesday morning so that trains can start running on this track,” Vaishnaw added.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mi-17 helicopters for the evacuation of the deceased and injured. According to the Eastern Command, IAF coordinated the rescue efforts with the civil administration and Indian Railways. The preliminary report on the tragedy said the three-way accident involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district.

As many as 17 coaches of these two passenger trains were derailed and severely damaged in the accident on Friday evening. (ANI)

Odisha train tragedy: PM Modi calls Ashwini Vaishnaw, takes stock of restoration work

New Delhi [India], June 4 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called upon Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take stock of the progress of the restoration work at Balasore triple train accident site, Railway Ministry sources informed. Notably, Vaishnaw is present at the accident site and taking an overview of the restoration work.

Earlier today, Vaishnaw had said that the restoration work was ongoing at war footing in Odisha’s Balasore. PM Modi had himself went to the accident spot in Balasore, Odisha and took stock of the situation on Saturday.

In a tweet, PM Modi said, “Took stock of the situation at the site of the tragedy in Odisha. Words can’t capture my deep sorrow. We stand committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected. I laud all those working round the clock, on the ground and helping out in relief work.”

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. After visiting the accident spot, PM Modi visited Fakir Mohan Hospital, Balasore, where some of the injured passengers are admitted.

After meeting the accident survivors, he said a probe has been ordered into the horrific derailment and those found guilty will not be spared. PM Modi also convened a high-level meeting to review the accident. “It’s a painful incident. We might not be able to bring back the lives lost in the accident but are with the families of the victims in this hour of grief. The government has taken very serious note of this incident and will leave no stone unturned in the treatment of the injured. Instructions have been given to investigate this incident and ensure that those found guilty are not spared,” PM Modi said.
Meanwhile, as per the official figures, the accident on Friday night left 288 people dead and over 1000 injured.

The three-way accident involved Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Coromandel Express and a goods train on three separate tracks at Bahanaga Bazar Station in the Balasore district.
As per the Ministry of Railways, the restoration work is going in full swing and the officials are closely monitoring the restoration process at the accident site. (ANI)