New Delhi 4 July(Press K i Taquat): A high-level inquiry has identified “wrong signalling” as the main cause for the Balasore train accident and highlighted “lapses at multiple levels” in the signalling and telecommunication (S&T) department, but implied the tragedy could have been avoided if past red flags were reported. The independent inquiry report submitted by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) to the Railway Board said despite the lapses in signalling work, corrective actions could have been taken by the S&T staff if “repeated unusual behaviour” of switches connecting two parallel tracks were reported to them by the station master of Bahanaga Bazar, the site of the accident.

10 points on the Odisha train accident’s CRS report:

Inquiry report blames “wrong signalling” for Balasore train accident and cites “lapses at multiple levels” in Signal & Telecommunication department.

Report says accident could have been prevented if S&T staff were informed of “repeated unusual behaviour” of switches connecting parallel tracks by station manager.

Report says non-supply of approved circuit diagram for replacing electric lifting barrier at level crossing gate 94 led to “wrong wiring” by field supervisors.