NIA probes sabotage angle in train accident near Chennai | India News – Times of India

CHENNAI: NIA is investigating whether sabotage caused the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express Friday evening to veer off the main line and collide with a parked freight train Kavarapettai station40 km north of Chennai. The collision injured eight people and overturned twelve coaches.
There were no casualties, as the coupling of the advanced Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) carriages prevents them from extending, and the train was traveling at a speed of 90 km per hour or less.
“There could be many reasons for the accident. A worn signal control panel in the station master’s room or ongoing signal change work in the area. But sabotage cannot be ruled out and must be investigated,” a railway source said.
Officials are investigating how the express train entered the loop line, where the speed limit is just 30km/h, despite being given a green signal for the main line. Southern Railway General Manager RN Singh confirmed that the driver followed signals correctly after leaving Chennai. A Gummidipoondi-bound suburban train had left Kavarapettai station minutes earlier and the Bagmati Express was given the green signal for the main line. Yet the train inexplicably entered the loop line, resulting in the crash.
Officials are also investigating whether tampering with outdoor signaling equipment and switching points at Kavarapettai station led to the train switching from the main line to a loop line. Sources told TOI that bolts and brackets at the switch point were found opened and several nuts were missing, raising concerns of tampering. The accident follows a similar attempted tampering reported in September at the nearby Ponneri station.
The switching point is a crucial mechanism that allows trains to switch from one track to another. To ensure that these transitions take place safely after green or red signals to the driver, properly functioning signaling equipment is essential. Any malfunction or manipulation of these components can lead to trains being diverted to the wrong tracks, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
On Saturday morning, Zuidkring commissioner was appointed railway safety AM Chowdhary inspected the accident site along with NIA officers.
The investigation will begin next week, Chowdhary said. More than a dozen officials, including the Bagmati Express driver, his assistant and station masters on duty at Kavarapettai and Ponneri stations, will be summoned for questioning.
CRS and NIA staff inspected the site, with railway officials confirming that although the route and signal had been set correctly for the main line, the train’s diversion onto the loop line was “unusual”.