Odisha triple train accident: High-level probe report blames 'wrong signalling' behind death of over 250

PTC Web Desk: "Wrong signalling" led to the triple train accident in Odisha's Balasore in June. These findings have come to the fore in a high-level probe report.

Earlier, a report by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety had blamed "human error" on the part of employees as the cause of the Odisha triple train accident. 

The safety commissioner report stated that "employees were negligent and did not follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the electronic interlocking system".

The high-level probe has found human error and wrong signalling as the main reason for the Balasore train accident. It has also flagged alleged lapses at multiple levels in the signalling and telecommunication (S&T) department. 

As many as 292 persons died and over 1,000 injured in the Odisha triple train accident on June 2.

Meanwhile, the independent probe report submitted by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) to the Railway Board has said that "rear-collision was due to lapses in signalling-circuit-alteration" carried out at the north signal 'goomty' in the past and during the execution of the signalling work related to the replacement of electric lifting barrier for level crossing gate 94 at the station.

The report also added that a similar incident was reported on May 16, 2022 at Bankranayabaz station in Khargpur Division of South Eastern Railway allegedly due to wrong wiring and cable fault.