Odisha train tragedy: CBI seals Bahanaga Bazar Station; no train to halt at the place for now

Of the 288 persons killed in accident, 200 bodies so identified, handed over to families

By  Amar Barik

Balasore, June 11: In view of the ongoing investigation into the June 2 devastating train crash at Bahanaga in Odisha’s Balasore district, no train will halt at Bahanaga Bazar Station till the on-the-spot inquiry process is over. In fact, the central probe agency has sealed the station for smooth conduct of the investigation.

South Eastern Railway chief public relations officer (CPRO) Aditya Kumar Chaudhary on Saturday said the CBI has sealed the station and also seized the log book, relay panel and other equipment.

“The CBI has sealed the relay interlocking panel, prohibiting access of the staff to the signalling system. No passenger or goods train would stop at Bahanaga Bazar till further notice,” he added.

At least seven trains would halt at the station after the up and down lines were restored.

Though around 170 trains pass through the Bahanaga Bazar Railway station everyday, only some passenger trains used to stop at the station for a minute.

The first train movement at the site of the accident took place on June 5 after restoration work was carried out in 51 hours.

The CBI had taken over the investigation into the accident and filed a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The FIR was lodged following railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s statement that the “root cause” of the triple train disaster was a change in the electronic interlocking system.

The Railway Board which has first investigated the incident, had recommended for the CBI probe to find if there are people responsible for the accident.

Some Railway officials had also indicated that there was possible “sabotage” and tampering with the electronic interlocking system.

Of the 288 persons killed in the catastrophic accident, 200 bodies have so far been identified and handed over to their families, but around 80 still remain unclaimed and unidentified at Bhubaneswar AIIMS morgue. Chaudhary said the Indian Railways had already provided ex-gratia to 709 passengers out of the 1,200 that were injured in the accident.