First report of Odisha Train Accident, Government Replied to the Question of Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas

The Balasore train accident in Odisha was caused by a signal error. This is stated by the Ministry of Railways while releasing the report of the Commissioner of Railway Safety. The report revealed in response to questions raised by MP Dr. John Brittas in Rajya Sabha, That defect occurred during signaling work for Signaling Circuit Change and Replacement of Electric Lifting Barrier at North Signal Gumti station. Footage of Accident-

The report states that the collision between the trains was caused by a fault in the signaling-circuit-change carried out at North Signal Gumti on the previous day. The error occurred during signaling work related to replacement of electric lifting barrier for level crossing gate no. 94 at the station. Due to these mistakes, the green signal was shown for the wrong line, Which resulted in train collision with a stationary goods train. As per details available from the Railways, the identity of 41 officials injured in the accident is yet to be ascertained. File Footage-

John Brittas also requested government to provided the data of train accidents for the last three years due to mistakes like the Odisha train accident, But the report was not presented. In reply of it government only said that there were failures but was no failure which led to such serious incident like Balasore. File Footage-

The Central Government has handed over the investigation of the train accident to the CBI. Investigation team had arrested three railway employees in early July. The accused are currently in judicial custody after the CBI remand period expired on July 15. The next hearing has been fixed on July 27.