'Error in train working' caused Janata Express mishap: Report

NEW DELHI: Derailment of Dehradun-Varanasi Janata Express near Rae Bareli last month, which claimed the lives of 39 passengers and injuring several others, was caused due to "error in train working", preliminary inquiry report by the Commissioner Railway Safety said.

'Error in train working' means failure of certain vital function of the train.

At least 39 people were killed and about 150 others injured when the engine and two adjoining coaches of the Dehradun-Varanasi Janata Express train derailed near Bachrawan Railway Station here.

After which, the railways had ordered an inquiry by the CRS to ascertain the exact cause of derailment.

Accordingly, South Central Circle CRS DK Singh conducted the probe and submitted the preliminary report yesterday, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Though railways have maintained that prima-facie cause of the derailment was overshooting of the signal by the loco driver, it was suspected that brake failure could have led to the rail mishap.

The official said, the driver apparently applied the brake but train did not stop, pointing suspicion towards the failure of the braking system.

The preliminary report has also pointed out that the incident occurred due to error in train working.

These findings are under the consideration of the government, said the official.