Penukonda accident- CRS report with a month

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HUBLI, June 3, 2012

Hampi Express accident: report expected within a month

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa has said that the Railway Safety Commissioner has been asked to submit a detailed inquiry report on the Hampi Express accident. It is expected to be submitted within a month.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Muniyappa said that following the initial inquiry, action had been initiated against Railway employees who had erred while discharging their duties. Addressing allegations that senior officials were being spared by the Railways while lower-level employees and officials were being targeted, Mr. Muniyappa said that based on the inquiry report, action would be initiated against all officials responsible for the accident.

He said that instead of taking up new projects, the Railways would give priority to improving the safety of passengers. “We are planning to employ the latest safety mechanisms,” he said.

Mr. Muniyappa said that a proposal in this regard would soon be placed before the Railway Board.

He said that due to saturation of the line capacity, no new trains were being introduced on the Hubli-Bangalore railway line. In order to facilitate running of new trains, track doubling and electrification of the line was being taken up on priority.

“Track-doubling work between Bangalore and Tumkur, and Arsikere and Chikjajur has been completed. The cost of the project which involves track doubling for 350 km is estimated to cost around Rs. 1,800 crore. Once the project is sanctioned, it will take four years to complete the work,” Mr. Muniyappa said.

To a query, he said that the first phase of the New Hubli Railway Station would be inaugurated in a month.