Nahur mishap: Maintenance, signalling staff details sought

The Kurla railway police have sought details of the employees of the maintenance and signaling department from the divisional railway manager (DRM) of Central Railway following the death of three people travelling on CST-bound locals after they were hit by the signaling pole in Nahur on April 19.

“Besides the employees’ details, we have also requested the DRM to hand over the clamp of the signal pole that hit the commuters,” said senior inspector Shivaji Dhumal of the Kurla railway police.

Blaming the mishap squarely on the “sheer negligence of railway employees”, Dhumal added that the employees once identified would be called to the the railway police station and their statements recorded.

Probe has revealed that commuters traveling in the CST-bound trains at the peak hours on on April 19 slammed against the clamp of the signal pole because it had not been fixed securely. As the screws became loose due to the vibrations caused by the passing trains, the clamp came off, and ended up pointing towards tracks, pointed out Dhumal.

Following the Nahur mishap, the Kurla railway police registered a case under sections 304 A (causing death due to negligence), 338 (causing hurt), 338 (causing grievous hurt) and 34 of the IPC against the employees responsible for the maintenance of signal post.