The Odisha High Court has ruled that the tragic Balasore train accident, which resulted in the deaths of 296 passengers last year, was due to composite negligence by railway authorities. This decision highlights failures in the maintenance and proper functioning of the signal system at Bahanaga station.
In a recent hearing, about Balasore train accident the court granted conditional bail to three railway employees who were under investigation for their roles in the incident. The court noted that there was insufficient evidence to prove that these employees were solely responsible for the tragedy. Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra emphasized that while the actions of these employees were questionable, they could not be deemed entirely accountable for the accident.
The court pointed out that the investigation into the incident did not adequately examine the role of the Station Master at Bahanaga Bazar station. Justice Mohapatra stated, “The entire tragedy is a result of a composite negligence on the part of railway personnel responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the signal system.” He further remarked that had railway authorities exercised greater diligence, the accident might have been prevented.
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The judge underscored the need for a thorough investigation into not only potential criminal acts but also any negligence by railway officials. He expressed concern over recurring railway accidents attributed to faulty signal systems, urging both railway authorities and investigative agencies to address these issues comprehensively.
This ruling comes at a time when railway safety is under scrutiny, with frequent accidents raising alarms about operational standards and accountability within Indian Railways.
