From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 29: The fire accident in the AC 3-tier coach of Bangalore-Nanded Express train near the Sri Sathya Sai Prashanti Nilayam in Penukonda of Andhra Pradesh in the early morning of December 28 was caused by ''advertent act or an act of negligence on the part of unidentified passenger(s) or person(s)."
This is the provisional finding of the inquiry conducted by Satish Kumar Mittal, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Bangalore.
In its 18-page report, the inquiry conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, Bangalore, has classified the accident in which 26 persons died under the category, "Error in working near Railway line.”
The findings are under the consideration of the Government, according to an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau.
The fire accident took place in the AC-3 Tier coach No. SWR ACCN 97105 of 16594 Up Bangalore – Nanded Express between Sri Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayam – Basampalli stations at Km. 22/400-500 on Penukonda – Dharmavaram non-electrified single line BG section in Bangalore Division of South Western Railway at about 3:15 am on December 28.
The inquiry report has recommended:
- In air-conditioned coaches, power points provided for charging mobile phones/laptops should be switched off between 10.00 pm and 06.00 am;
- Combustible material like curtains, linen, bed rolls (distributed as well as loaded for returned journey), when ignited intentionally or unintentionally, will cause fire to spread rapidly which will lay a virtual death trap for the innocent passengers.
- In order to reduce combustible material to some extent, Railways should do away with curtains in gangway portion of AC coaches.
- Smoke / carbon monoxide alarms should be provided in coaches to give timely warning of fire/smouldering.