Brahmanbaria train accident losses reach Tk37.2 lakh
Investigation committee failed to submit report on time
The Brahmanbaria train accident has resulted in losses amounting to Tk37.20 lakh for the railway, officials said.
"The locomotive engine suffered losses of Tk17 lakh, damage of two coaches Tk20 lakh and ruin of tracks Tk20,000," Nasir Uddin, officer of the eastern divisional railway, said.
He was addressing a press briefing at the railway departmental transport office in Chattogram on Thursday.
Also, the committee formed to investigate the accident failed to submit its report on time. It was supposed to submit the report by the afternoon of November 14.
The investigation team, which is led by Nasir, visited the scene on November 13 and 14 and recorded some statements.
"Ninety-nine percent of the investigation is done. We just need more information about a few things like train signals. We have discussed this with the higher authorities," Nasir told the press briefing.
"Sixteen people died and it is not a small incident. We have to consider a lot of things in the investigation and this is why we need more time. We hope to submit the report by Friday," he said.
The investigation team talked to the loco master of Turna Nisthita. They also questioned officers of several levels of both trains.
The maximum punishment of those found guilty will be dismissal from job while the lightest punishment will be demotion, the committee said.
Two trains collided head-on on Tuesday (November 12), killing 16 people. Turna Nishita Express was heading to Dhaka from Chattogram and Udayan Express was travelling to Chattogram from Sylhet.
The Ministry of Railways and Brahmanbaria district administration formed three different committees to investigate the accident.