NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / India News / #NewsBytesExplainer: Why CBI is probing Odisha train tragedy
    Next Article
    #NewsBytesExplainer: Why CBI is probing Odisha train tragedy
    CBI probe was ordered in Odisha train accident due to various reasons

    #NewsBytesExplainer: Why CBI is probing Odisha train tragedy

    By Manzoor-ul-Hassan
    Jun 05, 2023
    08:52 pm

    What's the story

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will likely take over the investigation of the Odisha train tragedy soon following the request of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

    The preliminary investigation, according to Vaishnaw, identified the "root cause of the accident," but it left certain questions and concerns unanswered, like "criminal conspiracy" or "tampering," which the investigation by the CBI will try to determine.

    Details

    Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recommended CBI probe 

    Speaking to PTI on Sunday, Vaishaw said, "We've recommended a CBI probe into the triple train accident that claimed 275 lives and left over 1,000 injured."

    The minister further stated that the Centre, along with the state government, is providing all possible assistance to the injured people.

    Earlier, Vaishnaw claimed that the accident happened due to changes in the electronic interlocking and point machine.

    PM Modi

    PM Modi warned of 'strict action' against those found 'guilty'

    On Saturday, PM Narendra Modi also vowed strictest action against those found guilty.

    The next day, Vaishnaw said that a change in the track's configuration may have caused the accident and assured that "whoever has done this will not be spared."

    The statements pointed toward some negligence or interference in the "electric point" machine, which is the most important device for railway signaling.

    Experts

    Railway experts raised concerns regarding signaling system

    Railway experts have also raised some concerns regarding the signaling system.

    SK Sinha, an Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru alumni, told NDTV that the electronic interlocking systems used in Indian Railways to set up routes for trains are quite robust and conform to the highest level of safety standards.

    "It is unlikely that it would have failed on its own," he said.

    Statement

    What went wrong with electronic interlocking

    Sinha added that the locked route cannot be changed until the train completes its movement.

    He said signals are green on the routes set and locked to let the drivers know it's reserved for him.

    "All events are recorded and available for post-event analysis, and I am sure officials would be studying the data logs," said Sinha, the founder of startup L2M Rail.

    Indications

    Is system failure or lack of synchronization possible cause?

    Another expert, Nalinaksh S Vyas, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at IIT- Kanpur, who also headed the Technology Mission for Indian Railways (TMIR), suspects the accident was caused by systems failure.

    Vyas also suggested that it may have been caused by a lack of synchronization between the electronic and mechanical systems.

    "The Railways minister is right in identifying this issue...and getting this probed," he said.

    Foul play

    Railways Board member suspects foul play 

    On Sunday, Railway Board Member (Operations and Business Development) Jaya Verma Sinha said the "Track Management System" was supposed "to be tamper-proof and error-proof because even if it fails, the train would be stopped."

    She claimed that there seemed to be some kind of "interference" with the signaling system.

    Sinha also didn't rule out suspected "foul play" as a possible cause of the accident.

    Kavach

    Odisha's Balasore tracks lacked safety system 'Kavach'

    Reportedly, the Kavach safety system to prevent train accidents was reportedly unavailable on the tracks in Odisha's Balasore.

    Kavach, an automatic train protection (ATP) system, is designed to alert the train driver, control the train's brakes, and bring it to an automatic halt in case of unusual scenarios.

    CAG report

    CAG report highlighted rail safety flaws

    Notably, the CBI probe will assume additional significance in light of a 2022 audit report of the Indian Railways of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which flagged several serious rail safety lapses.

    It also highlighted severe shortfalls in inspections, failure to submit or accept inquiry reports, and non-utilization of funds on priority tasks, among others.

    Report

    Audit questioned Railways Ministry over preventing derailments

    The CAG report questioned the lack of measures by the Railway Ministry to prevent derailments and collisions.

    It also reportedly flagged severe flaws in inspections, probes, utilization of funds, track renewal, and staffing of safety operations.

    "There were shortfalls ranging from 30-100% in inspections by Track Recording Cars required to assess geometrical and structural conditions of railway tracks," it said.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Ashwini Vaishnaw
    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)
    Central Government
    Narendra Modi

    Latest

    Kuldeep Yadav gets to 100 wickets in IPL: Key Stats Kuldeep Yadav
    India expels another Pakistan High Commission official; given 24-hour notice   Islamabad
    UP power bills may jump 30%; here's why Uttar Pradesh
    What to expect from Pennywise's return in 'Welcome to Derry'  HBO

    Ashwini Vaishnaw

    #OxfordUniversity racism row: India to raise the issue when required Oxford University
    Meet Ashwini Vaishnaw, who replaces RS Prasad as IT Minister X
    'Attempt to malign our democracy': IT Minister on Pegasus controversy Parliament Monsoon Session
    Here's what Amnesty really said about the Pegasus controversy Amnesty International

    Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)

    Bengal teacher recruitment scam: CBI expands SIT for speedy probe  West Bengal
    1984 anti-Sikh riots: CBI records Congress's Jagdish Tytler's voice sample Congress Party
    CBI summons Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy scam case Arvind Kejriwal
    Arvind Kejriwal slams ED, CBI; claims liquor scam never happened Arvind Kejriwal

    Central Government

    10% reservation for ex-Agniveers in BSF, exemption from physical test Agnipath Scheme
    H3N2 cases rise in India, experts say virus not life-threatening India
    Election Commission undergoes 'agnipariksha' after every election: CEC Rajiv Kumar Election Commission of India (ECI)
    Same-sex marriages incompatible with 'Indian family' concept: Centre to SC Supreme Court Of India

    Narendra Modi

    Ordinance row: 'Boycotting NITI Aayog meeting,' Kejriwal writes to Modi Arvind Kejriwal
    Lotus, peacock, and banyan tree; Look inside new Parliament Lok Sabha
    Complaint against Kejriwal, Kharge over alleged inciteful remarks against Murmu Arvind Kejriwal
    PM Modi chairs NITI Aayog meeting; Kejriwal, Mamata, Nitish boycott Arvind Kejriwal
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025