Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Monday has said the Chanawan bridge track was fine and declared speeding as the reason of derailing of train.
Addressing a press conference at the Railways Headquarters, Rafique said it is being investigated why the driver was speeding as the train was supposed to halt at a stop before the bridge but it did not. He added that any mechanical faults are also being probed.
He said that the joint investigation team (JIT) is working above all external pressures. He said that the authorities are trying to find out the reason behind train’s unnecessary speeding. The minister said that the condition of railway track was fine.
He said that the JIT is finding out whether there was a mechanical fault in engine or not. The engine of ill-fated train was made part of the Pakistan Railways in 1967, he added. He also said that only 50 bridges await renovation out of a mega total of 13,959.
Rafique said that failing to apply brakes at a red signal is a crime.
“The train did not stop at the registered pad before it met accident and the investigators are trying to determine whether train derailed due to fish plates or high speed,” he added.
The minister said that the JIT recorded statement of an army official.
He went on to say that the JIT will hopefully submit its complete findings in a report by Thursday.
“It is clearly evident that the train derailed, however, it is still being investigated whether the fish plates and nuts and bolts found were opened due to derailment or opened intentionally,” he added.
He termed all the media reports about the Initial Reports and probable causes of this accident, as baseless. He requested the media to play their role positively and report facts.
