The investigation into the July 18 derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express near Pikora village, between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, has revealed significant causes. The report points to engineering negligence within the Railway's section. Specifically, a track buckling had persisted for four days prior to the incident.
This buckling caused the express train, traveling at 70 km/h, to derail, resulting in 16 carriages going off track and three AC coaches overturning. Tragically, this resulted in four fatalities and over 30 injuries. Notably, a railway worker in Jhilahi had alerted a Junior Engineer about the track’s weakness just before the accident.
Despite this warning, no cautionary messages were posted on the track, allowing the train to proceed at full speed. Consequently, the Railway's inquiry committee has attributed the accident to the Engineering Department of the Jhilahi section under the Lucknow Railway Division. The report highlights improper fastening of the track, causing it to loosen due to heat expansion.
Source: aajtak
An hour before the accident, the track defect had been detected, yet no caution boards were installed. Had they been placed, the Dibrugarh Express would have slowed down to 30 km/h, potentially averting the disaster. The accident occurred at 2:28 PM on July 18, and the Motiganj Station Master was informed at 2:30 PM.
Due to negligence in track site protection and caution board placement, the train continued at full speed, resulting in the accident. A six-member team from the North Eastern Railway, after interviewing the train's loco pilot, manager, station masters of Jhilahi and Motiganj, and other staff, has pinned the blame on the Engineering Department of the Jhilahi section.
In addition, 41 railway officers and personnel from Gonda, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati (Maligaon) were summoned to the Lucknow DRM office for questioning. Their testimonies might lead to actions against responsible officers. Waterlogging near the track is also suspected. Over 30 railway workers were present on-site, firming the area with ballast and soil. It is surmised that waterlogging might have weakened the track, contributing to the derailment. The comprehensive joint investigation report will confirm the true cause of the accident.
