Title - Failure to lock track No 2 proved fatal

ANANTAPUR: Investigation into the cause of the ghastly train mishap at Penukonda railway station involving Hampi Express and a goods train, on May 22, commenced here on Wednesday, with a team of railway safety engineers doing their research. Penukonda railway station, which witnessed mayhem on Tuesday, wore a calm and deserted look on Wednesday. On Tuesday rescue operations and salvage activities were going on at the station, with ministers and other VIPs visiting the spot. According to railway sources, two grave lapses on part of the Penukonda station staff are evident, which include, not following the required safety norms while entering the railway station by drivers of Hampi Express and second Penukonda railway station ASM Sriramulu not being alert enough in giving proper signals to the approaching train. It was earlier reported that immediately after the mishap, the ASM Sriramulu and keyman Mohammed were reported missing from the station, along with the two drivers of the ill-fated train. However, those reports proved to be false, with both officials there at the station and the two drivers undergoing treatment at Puttaparthi hospital. It is learnt that station manager had decided to have the two trains parked on track one and two and issued signals accordingly. However, when the Goods Train came on to the second track, it was not locked. If that track had been locked, any train, irrespective of the speed would have by default been diverted to the other track. The lapse has proved very costly. The same has been reported to railway authorities. Meanwhile, railway minister Mukul Roy, who visited the spot on Tuesday said that an inquiry by railway chief safety commissioner has been ordered in to the train accident.