Utkal Express accident: Initial probe reveals 'track was under construction', officials suspended, transferred, sent on leave

The prima facie report in the Kalinga Utkal Expresss tragedy has revealed that the construction work on the track was the main reason of the train tragedy that claimed lives of at least 21 people on Saturday night, sources said. 

Cracking the whip over Utkal derailment, the Railways sent on leave its three top officials, including a secretary-level Railway Board official, suspended four officers and transfered one.

Member (Engineering) in the Railway Board, Northern Railway General Manager and Divisional Regional Manager (Delhi) have been sent on leave in the wake of the derailment in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, the Railways said.

The Railways also suspended four of its officials—

Senior Divisional Engineer, Assistant Engineer, a Senior Section Engineer (Permanent Way), responsible for track maintenance and a Junior Engineer.

Chief Track Engineer, Northern Railway, was transferred as part of the action by the Railways.

The derailment in Khatauli last evening resulted in death of 22 people and injuries to over 150 others, 26 of whom are in critical condition.

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