The engineering wing of Railways has reportedly suspended a ground-level inspector, in charge of maintaining tracks, after it prima facie emerged that improper upkeep of tracks led to Sunday’s derailment at Karukutty, near Angamaly.
But senior officials did not confirm the move, saying that the cause of derailment will be known only after a four-member inquiry committee, headed by Chief Safety Officer, begins a probe on Tuesday and submits its report in a week.
Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Prakash Bhutani said the engineering department could initiate action against its staff. “The apparent reason for the derailment was track fracture and the impending inquiry will throw more light into the aspect. The report will also suggest remedies to prevent such accidents. Sabotage has been ruled out since the engine and five coaches managed to safely cross the damaged portion.” Responding to reports that the tracks were restored on Sunday using bolts to join newly-laid tracks, he said this would have been done to resume rail services at the earliest. Speed restrictions would be in vogue till they were welded together.
A senior official at the engineering wing said ground-level officers had to mandatorily inspect track using ‘track-recording car’ and ‘oscillation monitoring system’ at least every four weeks.
They were computer controlled and there was little scope for error. Chief engineers in charge of tracks, signals etc., had collected data following derailment, which would be compiled as a report, he said.
