The report highlighted “lapses at multiple levels” in the Signalling and Telecommunication (S&T) department, but implied the tragedy could have been avoided if past red flags were reported.
The independent inquiry report submitted by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) to the Railway Board said despite the lapses in signalling work, corrective actions could have been taken by the S&T staff if “repeated unusual behaviour” of switches connecting two parallel tracks were reported to them by the station master of Bahanaga Bazar, the site of the accident.
Inquiry report blames “wrong signalling” for Balasore train accident and cites “lapses at multiple levels” in Signal & Telecommunication department.
Report says accident could have been prevented if S&T staff were informed of “repeated unusual behaviour” of switches connecting parallel tracks by station manager.