NHRC issues notice to Railways on Harda train mishap

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued notice to the Chairman of the Railway Board seeking a report on the derailment of two trains at Harda in Madhya Pradesh on August 4 night.

The Commission took suo moto cognizance of media reports on the incident.

In a statement, quoting media reports, NHRC said that as many as 25 passengers died and 50 were injured when two trains - Kamayani Express and Janta Express - derailed within a difference of a few minutes.

The incident was caused by alleged "lapses" on part of the railway authorities, the statement also stated.

Quoting the Railway officials, the Commission in the statement said that concerned media report claimed that it was a case of sinking of track, which does not happen instantly and there are enough warning signs before the track goes down.

For the first time, two trains derailed at the same spot in quick succession at a place where the track location was not marked as vulnerable in Bhopal Division's Disaster Plan.