NHRC issues notice to Railway Board chief over Harda derailment

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports on the derailment of two trains in Harda, Madhya Pradesh in the midnight of August 4, 2015, resulting in loss of life, property and injuries to several railway passengers due to safety lapses on the part of Railway authorities.

Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chairman, Railway Board, Union Ministry of Railway calling for a report in the matter within four weeks.

Reportedly, the derailment of Kamayani Express and Janta Express within a difference of few minutes killed 25 passengers and injured 50 as a result of maintenance failure.

Quoting the Railway officials, the media reported that it was actually a case of sinking of track, which does not happen instantly, and there are enough warning signs before the track goes down.

It was first of its kind of accident where 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.