Metro Rail sources said that their committee had prima facie determined probable causes of the fire.
Two days after a fire occurred in Metro Rail, Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS), took over the investigation from the special committee probing it.
CRS will formally initiate the investigation on December 31. Chief Public Relations Officer of Metro Rail, Indrani Banerjee, said, "We had formed a committee and initiated an investigation. The committee was supposed to submit its report within seven days. Now CRS has started a fresh probe. They will decide when the report would be submitted."
Metro Rail sources said that their committee had prima facie determined probable causes of the fire. One of them was that one end of the Third Rail Current Connector (TTCC) came loose and emitted sparks which, when in contact with plastic components at the bottom of the rake, resulted in the fire. The second probability is that sparks from the TTCC resulted in a fire because of the absence of rubber insulators.
Banerjee refused to comment on these issues saying CRS had already taken over the investigation process and they would look into all probabilities. "They will begin speaking with eye-witnesses from Monday," he said. An advertisement inviting witnesses has been released.
Another probe by the West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services will be conducted simultaneously. Fire minister Sujit Basu said that a three-member board has been formed and if the Metro authorities are found to be at fault, an FIR was likely to be lodged against them.
Director general of Fire Services Jag Mohan said that a notice has been sent to the Kolkata Metro Railways under section 35 of the West Bengal Fire Services Act 1950. "A detailed report of their fire safety precautions have been sought," he said.
TMC Lok Sabha MP and chairman of the Railways Standing Committee, Sudip Banerjee, said that he had had a word with the general manager of Metro Rail and sought a report from him on the incident. The report will be submitted by December 31.
Report Sought
TMC Lok Sabha MP and chairman of the Railways Standing Committee, Sudip Banerjee, said that he had had a word with the general manager of Metro Rail and sought a report from him on the incident. The report will be submitted by December 31
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