RSC to probe Coromandel Express mishap from Tuesday

The Railway Safety Commission (RSC) will start on Tuesday its inquiry into the Coromandel Express derailment that claimed nine lives, amidst reports of age-old signal system, weak track and human error as the mishap causes.

Chief commissioner of Railway Safety Balbir Singh, who visited the accident site near Jajpur, about 100 km from here, would take statements from public, local police and others on the tragedy happened last Saturday.

Besides hearing other staff associated with running the train, Singh was likely to hear the versions of drivers, Ustav Dani and K Kameswar, who sustained injuries in the accident.

Both were discharged from the SCB Medical College and Hospital here and would record their statements before the RSC on February 18 at Khurda Road, an official said.

"During the spot visit, the RSC has already collected some evidence," said S Jani, the senior divisional safety officer, adding everybody would cooperate for a smooth and fair inquiry into the accident.

Singh has also photographed and recorded the condition of the track and its maintenance, which was said to have been overdue for a long period.