Railways modify order on Utkal Express derailment

The Railways on Friday said that it has modified its earlier order of removing 12 employees from services over the derailment of the Kalinga Utkal Express in Uttar Pradesh on August 19.

A senior official said that the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has submitted the derailment's enquiry report which found Permanent Way Inspector (PWI) Pradeep Kumar responsible for the accident, and "he continues to remain dismissed from service and has not been reinstated".

"While the 11 trackmen, who have not been held responsible in the CRS inquiry report were still suspended from service and regular departmental disciplinary action for major penalty (which includes removal or dismissal from service after conclusion of departmental enquiry) is going on against them," he said.

On August 30, the Railways had terminated 13 employees, including a Junior Engineer and 11 track maintenance personnel, for "dereliction of duty" in connection with the derailment.

On August 19, 23 passengers were killed and over 150 others injured after the 14 coaches of the train derailed.

Following the accident, the Railways had also suspended four engineers.

The CRS has blamed human error for the accident.

--IANS

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