Acknowledging "substantial increase" in number of train derailments in the recent past, the Railways today expressed grave concern over the growing incidents on the track causing a serious threat to the lives of passengers.
"There is a substantial increase in the derailment case this year as compared against the same period last year and it is a serious concern for us," Railway Board Chairman AK Mital said.
According to the data, there are about 72 derailments this year as compared to about 50 such cases last year.
However, Mital hinted at security lapses in case of derailments due to outside interference on the track.
"Generally derailments happen due to rolling stock problem or track failure. Derailments also take place due to the man-made obstruction or interference on the track which is not in our control and it is a law and order problem," Mital said.
Hinting at outside interference, he said, "I had visited the accident site yesterday. It appeared to be a fresh breakage of rail track. A goods train had passed the same track two hours before the mishap and a patrol team also had inspected the route just 30 minutes ahead of the Hirakhand Express."
Nine coaches of Hirakhand derailed near Kuneru station in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday night in which 39 passengers lost their lives. Fourteen coaches of Indore-Patna Express had derailed on November 20 last year near Kanpur killing 151 people followed by derailment of Sealdah-Ajmer Express near Rura station injuring more than 50 passengers on December 28.
Giving an example of outside interference, the Chairman Railway Board said "A major mishap was averted today due to the alert patrolling team of railways. Two stone slabs were placed on the track in Hajipur in Bihar which was detected in time and removed accordingly to ensure safe passage of train movement."
Asked about the sabotage angle in the Hirakhand Express mishap near Kuneru station, he said nothing can be ruled out and it will be known after the inquiry report.
While Commissioner Railway Safety has been asked to conduct a detailed inquiry into the derailment, Andhra Pradesh government has also ordered a CID probe into the incident, he said.
About the possibility of rail fracture, he said "fracture happens due to stress on the track and the wide temperature variation. Temperature varies in the northern region but it is very less in the southern part."
Seeking cooperation from all concerned Mital said "It is a collective responsibility. Railways has to ensure safety for train movement while law and order is responsibility of state machinery.
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