The accident occurred when the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express collided with a stationary freight train, causing several coaches to derail onto the adjacent track near Bahanaga Railway Station in Balasore on June 2., India News, Times Now
In a single-page dissent note, AK Mahanta, senior engineer of signals and communciations (Balasore), differed with the stand of the other four members of the panel that the mishap happened after the driver of Coromandel Express was signalled to take the loop line where it crashed into a stationary goods train, India News, Times Now
The contractual labourers, engaged by a contractor for railway work, had taken shelter under the stabled rake (without engine) from the wind and rain of a 'Norwester' storm near Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, when the accident took place, East Coast Railway's (ECoR) Chief Public Relation Officer Biswajit Sahu said., India News, Times Now
Odisha Train Accident: Reports claimed that the location box (near the Bahanaga Bazar railway station), which is responsible for sending signals to trains, may have been tampered with. By tampering with the box, the technician might have sent a false signal to the Coromandel Express, suggesting the loco driver use the wrong track. However, this is just one probable reason for the accident. , India News, Times Now
In a bid to prevent future accidents and ensure passenger safety, the Railway Board has called upon all 19 zones to initiate a comprehensive safety drive, with particular attention given to the improvement of signalling systems. The board has requested a detailed report on all deficiencies and irregularities to be submitted by 14 June. This call to action holds significant importance, as signal failure is believed to be the root cause of the devastating Balasore train tragedy, which has tragically claimed numerous lives and left countless passengers injured., India News, Times Now