Mumbra train crash: Engineers ignored warnings; experts point to track damage
The tragic train crash near Mumbra on June 9, which left five commuters dead and eight others injured, has been blamed on Central Railway engineers who did not carry out required maintenance despite repeated warnings about track damage.
Investigators say that even after several caution notices between March and June, the needed repairs just didn't happen.
Experts from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute backed this up, pointing to unresolved track issues and trains running faster than recommended.
Inspections didn't lead to real fixes
Heavy rains in late May and early June flooded the area and washed away support under the tracks—but inspections didn't lead to real fixes.
The speed limit set for trains was higher than what Indian Railways recommends. Plus, incomplete welding during a rail replacement caused dangerous misalignment.
Investigators also found that tracks were too close together and unevenly leveled—so when both trains converged at the same spot, disaster struck.