(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to
the derailment of Kamrup Express on January 10, 2003;
(b) if so, whether due to severe cold chinks developed in
rail lines resulting in derailment;
(c) if so, the practice for weather/climatic
acclimatization of rail lines for years has been abandoned;
and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) to (d): As per provisional findings contained in
Preliminary Inquiry Report of Commissioner of Railway
Safety/ Northeast Frontier Circle, derailment of Kamrup
Express on New Bongaigaon-Guwahati Section of Alipurduar
Division on 10.01.2003, was due to failure of the right hand
rail in the heat affected zone. Hence, the cause of
accident is attributed to the ‘failure of equipment’.
Rail steel is subject to contraction and expansion
depending upon temperature. In case, the rail temperature
goes beyond the specified limits, hot weather and cold
weather patrolling is introduced as per laid down
instructions. Rail, as a material, neither needs
weather/climatic acclimatization nor had there been ever
such a practice.