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Interim report on train accident in a week

By Our Staff Correspondent

Mysore Oct. 27. The preliminary report of the inquiry into the derailment of the Mysore-Bangalore passenger train on Thursday last will be submitted within a week while the final report will be tabled within two months. This was stated by the Commissioner for Railway Safety, Pranab Kumar Sen, who commenced a probe here today to ascertain the cause that led to the accident in which four persons died.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Sen said a copy of the report would be submitted to the Railway Board and the inquiry would pinpoint the causes that might have led to the derailment.

He discounted the theory that the derailment was caused by weak embankments which were eroded by incessant rain. Spot inspection proved that the embankments were intact and the track was deemed to be rail worthy to operate super-fast trains such as Shatabdi Express, which runs between Mysore and Chennai.

Mr. Sen said indications seem to hint that the cracked wheel disc could be the culprit but the commission probing the mishap was not making any assumptions. However, the faulty wheel disc was being sent to the Railways Standards and Design Organisation in Lucknow for a thorough inspection and the findings would be incorporated in the final report.

Mr. Sen interacted with the injured passengers who are recuperating in hospital and sought their views. It was apparent from the passengers that the train had not exceeded the speed limit and neither was there a possibility of poor maintenance of either the bogies or the track. Hence, all circumstances seemed to hint at the cracked wheel disc theory which would be examined by the inquiry commission.

The statement of the guard, M. Subramani, who sustained serious injuries, could not be taken as he was not yet in a condition to talk. The views and statements of other injured passengers had been recorded.

The statement of the guard is reckoned to be important as he is a technical man and could give an exact description of the events.

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