CBI may probe Odisha train mishap

Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may be asked to probe the train mishap in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2.

This was revealed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today. The Railway Board has recommended for a CBI probe into the tragic incident, he added.

“The Railway Board recommended for the CBI probe on the basis of our administrative information regarding the mishap. The probe will include the circumstances of the train accident and the persons responsible for this,” said the Railway Minister.

Notably, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (South Eastern Circle) has been asked to probe the mishap involving three trains near Bahanaga railway station in Balasore district.

As many as 275 passengers were killed and around 1,000 more sustained injuries in the mishap, stated to be the worst railway accident since 1995.

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (South Eastern Circle) will hold a statutory enquiry from 09:00 hrs of June 5 (Monday) and June 6 (Tuesday) in the South Institute at Kharagpur in connection with the derailment of (12841) Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and (12864) SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express at Bahanaga Bazar station near Balasore on June 2, said release issued by the Indian Railways today.

Rail users, local public and others may depose before the commission and provide any information related to the accident, it added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the accident spot yesterday, had assured that stern action will be taken against the guilty.