Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Ministry of Railways has revealed the causes of the fatal triple train disaster that occurred in Balasore, Odisha, last June for the first time, identifying a signal error as one of the contributing factors. The incident was one of India’s deadliest train catastrophes in the previous 20 years, with more than 293 fatalities and over 1,000 injured. The study, which was made public in response to inquiries from MP Dr. John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha, highlighted mistakes made during the signaling work necessary to replace the Electric Lifting Barrier and while modifying the signaling circuit at North Signal Goomty station.
“The rear-collision was due to lapses in the signalling-circuit-alteration carried out at the North Signal Goomty (of the station) in the past, and during the execution of the signaling work related to replacement of Electric Lifting Barrier for level crossing gate no. 94 at the Station,” the report stated. According to the study, these mistakes caused a green light to be shown for the incorrect line, which caused a train to collide with a standing goods train. These problems, according to the Minister, show “glaring lapses and negligence” on the part of the railway authorities.
The authorities also disclosed that 41 accident passengers had still not been located. Although Dr. John Brittas MP requested information, the government withheld it, simply stating that there had been failures but none that could have resulted in a catastrophe as terrible as the one in Balasore.
Arun Kumar Mahanta, Mohammed Amir Khan, and Pappu Kumar were three Indian Railways personnel who were detained earlier this month by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the incident. They were accused of destroying evidence and culpable homicide that did not constitute murder. After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) remand term concluded on July 15, the suspects are now in jail. The next hearing is set for July 27.
The inquiry, which is still ongoing, has shown that a prior comparable event that occurred on May 16, 2022 at Bankranayabaz station in the Kharagpur Division of South Eastern Railway was caused by incorrect wiring and cable failure. The Balasore disaster, according to the CRS study, may have been avoided with the right steps taken following this occurred. In response to the CRS study, Congress said that the Narendra Modi administration had “thoroughly compromised” on fundamental train safety concerns, and that this “human error” exposed management and political leadership shortcomings.
