RailEnquiry

BANGALORE: The inquiry into the Hampi-Bangalore Express rail mishap which claimed 25 lives on Monday concluded on Friday. Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, S K Mittal, said the report would be published in ten days. “We have collected all evidence and are currently analysing it,” Mittal said. The Bangalore-bound Hampi Express had collided with a stationary goods train at Penukonda in the wee hours of Monday morning resulting in fire breaking out in a coach. Initial findings by senior railway officials had pointed to a possible overshooting of signal by the loco pilot — which was termed prejudiced by Railway Workers’ Associations. Meanwhile, the South Western Railway (SWR) said in a statement that distribution of ex-gratia for victims of accident was completed. The 14 seriously injured passengers were given Rs 1 lakh each and those with simple injuries Rs 50,000. The SWR is exploring ways to compensate a family of four which is survived by three minor children.� The statement also said� that the issue would be settled by May 30