CRS to hold probe into Puvanur derailment

Puvanur (PVN): Having inspected the spot where the Chennai Egmore–Mangalore Express derailed near Puvanur in the Villupuram–Tiruchi chord line section recently, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, S.K. Mittal will conduct a full-fledged inquiry into the accident on September 8.

Mr. Mittal will conduct the statutory probe at the railway officers’ rest house in Villupuram and inquire officials from different departments of the Southern Railway.

The CRS comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation dealing with matters pertaining to safety of rail travel and train operations. One of the functions of the CRS is to probe accidents of trains carrying passengers which are of serious nature.

Railway sources told that railway officials, including those from the engineering and electrical departments, would be questioned. Top railway officers from Southern Railway headquarters and Tiruchi Railway Division would be present.

The Loco Pilot, Assistant Loco Pilot and Guard of the Chennai Egmore – Mangalore Express are also expected to be inquired.

Ahead of the probe, the statements of officials of different railway departments would be taken on Monday and presented before the CRS, said the sources.

Accompanied by top railway officers, Mr. Mittal inspected the site hours after the accident to assess the extent of damage to track and overhead electrical equipment besides the coaches which went off the track.

Southern Railway authorities have appealed to the public to share any information about the accident with the CRS