Two Central Railway (CR) engineers were booked on Monday, November 3, in connection with the Mumbra train accident that occurred five months ago.
The Government Railway Police (GRP), which had investigated the accident, has blamed the incident on negligence of the two officials — a senior section engineer and a section engineer.
June 9 Mumbra train accident took away lives of four commuters and injured nine others after falling off two overcrowded local trains in Thane.
The accident occurred when two overcrowded local trains passed each other on a sharp curve between Diva and Mumbra stations, leading to passengers falling off the trains.
The Central Railway had also conducted an inquiry which stated that the accident was triggered by the “protruding” backpack of a commuter standing on the footboard of one train brushing against passengers on another train moving in the opposite direction.
This contact led to a domino effect, causing several people to lose balance and fall from the moving trains, as per the CR inquiry, which did not blame any official for the incident.
The CR investigation ruled out technical faults, sabotage, or quarrels among passengers. Its reports stated that a detailed scrutiny of CCTV footage, witness statements, and train inspections confirmed that the coaches themselves were mechanically sound and that the trains operated within prescribed speed limits, around 72 kilometers per hour.
Moreover, adequate clearance between trains was established, negating any possibility of coach collisions.
The CR report also highlighted the role of overcrowding, particularly on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus-bound train, as a significant factor that exacerbated the tragedy.
The GRP investigation focused on potential lapses in core engineering and maintenance.
The GRP probed officials responsible for prescribing the 105 kmph speed limit on the steep Mumbra curve, deciding the lateral distance between the two fast tracks, and the history of maintenance and repair work in the vicinity of the incident.