[1]Terming the train accident at Chitheri station in Tamil Nadu as ‘very unfortunate’ Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday said all efforts will be undertaken to prevent such mishaps in future.
At least eight persons were killed and 85 others injured when a passenger train from Chennai rammed into a stationary train near Arakkonam, derailing five coaches, about 75 km from Tamil Nadu capital, in the third major rail accident in two months.
Hinting at the human error as the cause of the accident, Trivedi said, “Cause of the accident has not been ascertained at the moment. According to the initial reports, the signal was red. But whatever is the reason it should have never happened. We learn lessons from every accidents we have to ensure accident should not happen.”
The Arakkonam-Vellore passenger train was waiting for the green signal near Chitheri Station when the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) running between Chennai Beach and Vellore rammed into it from behind.
“Casualty figures are still not yet confirmed. We are in touch with all railway officers who all have reached the site. I am taking the first available flight along with the Chairman Railway Board Vinay Mittal and Minister of State for Railway K H Muniappa to Chennai," he said.
Asked about the delay in installing anti-collision device to prevent accidents, Trivedi said, “All these things take time. If there is a human error we don't know. Whatever is required... will be done to prevent accident."
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