The Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) has reportedly identified human error as the cause of the Balasore triple train tragedy that led to 293 deaths, and over 1,000 injured. Sources said that workers in the signalling department were responsible for the tragedy, dismissing the likelihood of a sabotage or a technical glitch or a machine fault.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is already probing the possibility of a criminal conspiracy into the accident.
Negligence on the part of a few ground officials who did not follow adequate safety procedures of inspection, particularly after changes were made in the design due to safety concerns three years ago, has been highlighted.
The officials failed to follow the standard operating procedure in place for train operations, according to the sources.
"We will not be disclosing anything on the CRS report as another independent CBI inquiry is underway. This is to ensure that this report does not in any way influence or interfere with the other report. We will take cognisance of both the reports and make an overall evaluation of the incident and then take whatever steps necessary," a senior official told PTI.
Three trains – Kolkata-Chennai Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a goods train – were involved in one of the worst railway tragedies in the country in the last two decades.
The findings of the CRS report and the subsequent CBI report will help Indian Railways rehaul its safety systems, officials said, adding that railways are looking at best technologies used in the steel industry, and railways safety systems used across the world. (with PTI inputs)