RailEnquiry

The probe of the Commissioner of Railway Safety into the fire in the Tamil Nadu Express in July, in which 32 passengers were killed at Nellore near Hyderabad, has absolved the Railways and its staff, and has found that firecrackers carried by passengers led to the incident.The report reached the Railway Board on Wednesday and in its narration of the findings, spread over 35 pages, stated that “the unusual occurrence falls in the category of ‘Failure of persons other than Railway staff’”.According to the recommendations of the probe report, accessed by The Indian Express, Railways has now decided to start dedicated, toll-free helplines across the country where passengers can inform about anyone carrying any inflammable object inside the compartment. On Wednesday, all the 17 zonal railways were instructed to start the helplines at the earliest. Sources said a direction to this effect was on its way to the zonal general managers from Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal. Railways has also decided to send SMSes to passengers one day before the date of journey informing about a list of items, which should not be carried in the passenger compartments. To begin with, these automated messages will go to all passengers who have booked e-tickets since their mobile numbers are readily available. Every day around 2.5 crore people use the railways.

The analysis of the samples taken from the charred coach by the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory had found traces of potassium nitrate, sulphur, magnesium chlorate and aluminum chloride and such chemicals which are used in firecrackers.