India: Gaisal Disaster - Report says negligence to blame

Negligence by Indian Railways' staff was to blame for the accident at Gaisal on 2 August 1999 according to a report by India's Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety.

In his report, the commisioner, Dr M. Mani condemns "short-circuiting of normal safety procedures". His report is quoted by the PTI as saying that the "accident is categorised as a failure of railway staff". The report also indicates that there is a possibility that the accident was caused maliciously stating "However, the mens rea (criminal intent) behind the failure of staff needs further investigation".

It would appear that it had been known to a number of railway staff that the "up" Awadh Assam Express had been switched to the "down" line, but all had failed to take any action. This was referred to in the report as "negligence and lack of alertness" on the part of both signal staff and the train crew.

Officers of the Northern Frontier Railway are exonerated by the report giving them a "clean chit" according to The Hindu.

Earlier Stories

• Gaisal Disaster - New investigation announced as search ends, officials suspended
  16 Aug 99
  
• India: Gaisal Disaster - Index of Reports

Web Sources

• Clean chit for officers in Gaisal mishap
  The Hindu 18 Aug 99
  
• India says staff to blame for rail disaster
  Go News 18 Aug 99