Balasore train tragedy: Rs 1.95 cr sanctioned for 39 deceased identified from Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today sanctioned Rs 1.95 crore for 39 deceased persons identified from Odisha so far in the most horrific Balasore train accident.

As per previous announcement by the State Government to provide Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia each for kin of deceased persons, the amount was sanctioned from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the deceased persons identified from Odisha.

Out total 39 deceased persons identified so far, 8 are from Bhadrak district, 2 from Jajpur district, 14 from Balasore district, 9 from Mayurbhanj district, 2 from Khordha district, 3 from Cuttack district and one from Keonjhar district.

The process has started to hand over the financial assistance money to the kin of deceased persons.

The death toll in Balasore train tragedy rose to 278 as three more victims, who were undergoing treatment in hospitals, succumbed to injuries today.

The fatal train accident occurred when Chennai-bound Coromandel Expess train derailed at Panpana near Bahanaga Bazar Station in Balasore district on June 2 evening hitting a stationary goods train and coaches of Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast train on separate tracks.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the accident happened due to a change in electronic interlocking.

Sources said that the accident in which a speeding Coromandel Express crashed into a stationary goods train on the loop line instead of travelling on the main line, “indicated issues” with the electronic interlocking system which changed the route of the train leading to the collision.

“Unless there is deliberate interference in the system, it is impossible that a route set for the main line is switched to the loop line,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the Khurda Road division DRM Rinkesh Ray suspected ‘physical tampering’ of the system of the Bahanaga station.

“There was a green signal on the main line. The signal is usually green when all the pre-conditions required for the signal to go green are perfect. If any of the pre-conditions does not meet, technically the signal can never turn green, unless and until anyone physically tampers with the signal system. But, from the data records, it shows that when Coromandel Express was reaching the station, the signal was green, but the train moved to the loop line,” said Roy.

Also Read

Comments are closed.