Andhra Pradesh double train tragedy: Preliminary probe holds Rayagada Passenger train crew at fault

The preliminary railway probe of the double train collision that rocked Andhra Pradesh on October 29 evening has come to the fore. As per the investigation, the driver and the assistant driver of Rayagada Passenger train have been held responsible for the accident as they passed two defective auto signals violating the norms. Both the crew members were killed in the accident.

The report was signed by the seven experts, who carefully examined the accident site, available evidence, statements of officials concerned, data logger report and the speedometer chart. The experts concluded that the Rayagada passenger train (08504) hit the Visakhapatnam-Palasa passenger train (08532), which was running at a restricted speed, from the rear due to the crew of the former passing two defective auto signals.

"Hence, LP (loco pilot), SMS Rao, ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) of Train no 08504 (Rayagada Passenger train) are held responsible," as per the report.

According to the railway norms, the Rayagada passenger train should have stopped for two minutes at the defective auto signals between the Kantakapalli-Alamanda (kpl-alm) section where the collision took place. The Visakhapatnam Palasa passenger train stopped at both the signals and then was proceeding at the restricted speed of 10 km per hour. 

However, the Rayagada passenger train didn't follow these norms at both the defective signals and collided with the first train running with restricted speed, according to the initial report. The Rayagada Passenger train hit the Visakhapatnam Palasa train from behind at 7 pm on October 29 on the Howrah-Chennai line in Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, claiming the lives of 14 people and injuring over 50 train passengers, the report said.  

Four coaches of the Palasa passenger train and two coaches of Rayagada passenger train were badly damaged and capsized.