As many as 23 people died and over 70 injured when 14 coaches of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derailed in Khatauli, 40 km from Muzaffarnagar. With an investigation on all possibilities causing the derailment underway, sources from the railways said the accident occurred because of maintenance failure. An official said railways staff was engaged in “unofficial” maintenance of the track at the time of the accident, meaning, they failed to put any speed restriction such as a red flag or signal warning on the route.
The official said the train was running at 106 kmph, while the speed limit when a track is maintained must be around 10-15 kmph and the driver must be warned about the work through signalling or putting warnings. Any signs of sabotage have been ruled out. Another official said the train derailed after the engine and five coaches passed the spot safely which was not possible at the speed of 106 kmph if track had been tempered with.
Impact of the accident was so high that one of the bogeys climbed onto another, a second one crashed into a house, and a third ran into a college. Nine companies of Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary, teams of National Disaster Response Force, and Anti-Terrorism Squad were immediately rushed to the spot. About 95 ambulances were on duty, ferrying the injured to hospitals. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu provided consolation, saying he is personally monitoring the situation, and has ordered an inquiry into it.
He wrote on Twitter, “Have ordered inquiry into the unfortunate accident to ascertain the cause. Strict action will be taken against any lapse.” Prabhu announced ex gratia of Rs 350,000 for the kin of dead, Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured, and Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “extreme pain” over the derailment and said the Railway Ministry and the state government were doing everything possible to provide all assistance required.
“Extremely pained by the derailment of the Utkal Express in Muzaffarnagar. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I wish those injured a speedy recovery. The situation is being monitored very closely by the Railway Ministry,” Modi said.
