New Delhi, September 11
Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar today refused to comment on the cause of derailment of the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express near Rafiganj, pending the preliminary findings of the statutory inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
Addressing mediapersons here this afternoon, Mr Kumar said the observations made yesterday by senior Railway officers present at the spot were preliminary observations based open prima facie evidence. “No Railway officer will comment on the cause of the accident (whether it was sabotage or human failure) till the Commissioner of Railway Safety makes preliminary findings.”
He said he and other members of the Railway Board met Deputy Prime
Minister L.K. Advani today and apprised him of the latest situation and rescue and relief operations.
Asked why he should not resign, Mr Kumar said, “Can I take moral responsibility of the sabotage?”
The chairman, Railway Board, Mr I.I.M.S. Rana, said one out of 25 derailments were caused by sabotage. Since 1981, out of the 27 derailments, 10 were cases of sabotage.”
He told TNS later that in the past five years, 85 accidents had taken place due to sabotage. The accident trends in the past five years pointed to 72.2 per cent accidents due to derailment, 18.6 per cent accidents at level crossing, 6 per cent accidents due to collision and 2.8 per cent due to fire on trains.
Referring to media reports on the age of the bridge on which the train derailed, Mr Kumar said, “According to Railway engineers, the bridge is totally fit. There are no speed restrictions over the bridge. It was built in 1916,” he said.
Mr Kumar said that Commissioner of Railway Safety had reached the spot and was holding an inquiry. “The course of action will be planned on the basis of his findings. Although there is no time frame for the CRS inquiry, the preliminary report is normally given between a fortnight to a month and a half.”
He said that there should not be any suspicion on the condition of the track. “The train was on the trunk route. It is one of the best tracks and passengers and freight trains were allowed to run on a speed of 130 kmph. The 60 kg UTS (ultimate tensile strength) track was re-laid in 1989. The track was inspected by an assistant
engineer on March 9, 2002 and on April 6, 2002 by a divisional engineer.”
The Railway Board Chairman, said, “Bridge number 445 between Rafiganj and Deo Road stations is a double line bridge with independent plate girders for up and down line, but with common abutment and priers. The upline girders and two priers have got damaged due to the derailment. The bridge is in sound condition with no speed restriction. It was not identified as distressed.”
