On 2nd June 2023, around 7 pm, a massive train accident occurred at Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Odisha. In this devastating crash, three trains collided with each other resulting in the derailing of several coaches of all trains.
The crash happened between a goods train, the Coromandel Express, and the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express trains. According to reports, around 270 people died in this crash while more than 900 people were left injured.
The accident occurred due to a signaling error. Due to this error, the Coromandel Express changed its track and went on the loop line. A goods train was already standing on that track.
Hence, Coromandel Express collided with the stationary goods train. Due to the collision, some of the coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed and hit the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express that was moving on the adjacent track. Because of the Coromandel Express coaches, some coaches of the Yashwantpur-Howrah Express also derailed. It led to a massive train crash at the station.
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The inquiry committee formed to investigate the accident has shown some disagreements. One of the members of the committee Mr. Mahanta has shown his disagreement with some points stated in the inquiry report presented by the committee.
The Truth about the Odisha train accident report
After the accident, an inquiry committee of five railway officers was formed to analyze the accident and find its cause. After investigation and inquiry, the committee prepared a two-page report stating signaling error as the cause of the accident.
Mr. Mahanta one of the five railway officers of the inquiry committee also signed the two-page report and agreed with everything written in the report. However, later he retracted and has shown disagreement with the report on some points.
A.K Mahanta is a railway officer in the Indian Railways as a Senior Section Engineer. He was one of the five members who investigated the tragic accident that occurred in Odisha.
Even though he approved of everything written in the report at first, has alleged that the Coromandel Express train derailed even before it collided with the stationary goods train standing on the loop line.
The official further said that the 17A point was not set for the loop line as the report stated. According to his observations and investigations, the point was set for the main line or normal side.
In addition to that, the officer also claimed that the Coromandel Express derailed the tracks on which it was moving before the 94 Level Crossing Gate. This crossing gate is located before the 17A point. The 17A point is where there is a loop line and trains change their tracks.
This statement given by the official makes a significant impact on the whole investigation as questions about the true cause of the accident arise. If signaling error did not cause the accident of the trains, then what did? The government and CBI are pressurized as the investigation of the accident becomes more complicated and sensitive.
However, some people in India have started donation groups and funds for those who lost their families in this tragic accident. People from all over the country are trying to help the grief-stricken families of those who died in the accident by donating whatever they can to these donation groups and funds.
