DELHI- In light of the train crashes in Balasore, Odisha, on Friday evening, the civil aviation ministry has issued a directive to airlines, urging them to address any significant increase in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar.
Additionally, the ministry has provided guidance to airlines. Further recommending that they refrain from imposing penalty charges for ticket cancellations and rescheduling.
Aviation Ministry Advisory over Odisha Train Crashes
In response to the unfortunate incident in Odisha, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a statement advising airlines to closely monitor and address any sudden and excessive increase in airfares to and from Bhubaneswar and other airports in the state.
The ministry also emphasized that airlines should allow cancellations and rescheduling of flights related to the incident without imposing any penalty charges.
This directive aims to ensure fair and compassionate treatment for passengers affected by the tragic event. The accident in Balasore, Odisha, on Friday night, resulted in losing at least 288 lives and left over 800 others injured. Marking one of the most devastating train accidents.
On Friday around 7 pm, a collision occurred near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore, approximately 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar.
The incident involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, carrying approximately 2,000 passengers and a goods train.
As a result of the accident, seventeen coaches were derailed. Subsequently, it suffered significant damage, leading to the entrapment of numerous passengers.
Experts have identified the high speed at which both passenger trains were traveling as one of the primary factors contributing to the significant number of casualties.
Preliminary Report
According to the initial investigation report, a copy of which is available with PTI. It was determined that the signal was initially set and then cleared for the up main line for train number 12841.
However, the train mistakenly entered the up-loop line and collided with the goods train. That was already on the loop line, resulting in the derailment of both trains.
Meanwhile, train number 12864 passed through the down main line during the incident. But two of its coaches derailed and overturned.
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