Preliminary Report Identifies Track Fault in Vande Bharat Express Derailment
Preliminary probe finds track fault in Vande Bharat mishap

Image: Hindustan Times
A preliminary inquiry into the Vande Bharat Express derailment at Pune station on April 27 found that an excessive gap in guard rails caused the incident. The engineering department is blamed for the error, and further actions against responsible officials are anticipated after the final report.
- 01The derailment occurred on April 27, 2023, involving the Mumbai–Solapur Vande Bharat Express.
- 02The preliminary report attributes the incident to an engineering error during maintenance work.
- 03An excessive gap in the guard rails near a diamond crossing was identified as the cause of the derailment.
- 04The train was traveling at approximately 10 km/h, which mitigated the severity of the incident.
- 05A three-member inquiry committee was formed to investigate the derailment further.
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A preliminary inquiry report from a Central Railway investigation committee has revealed that the derailment of the Vande Bharat Express at Pune station on April 27 was due to an excessive gap in the guard rails near a diamond crossing. This incident, the first involving a Vande Bharat train in India, was attributed to an engineering error during maintenance work conducted under a railway block. The report highlighted that the front wheel of one of the train's coaches slipped off the track due to improper alignment and excessive spacing of the guard rails. These guard rails are crucial for keeping derailed wheels confined between the tracks, thus reducing the risk of severe accidents. Fortunately, the train was moving at a low speed of about 10 km/h at the time, preventing a more serious mishap. Central Railway officials indicated that actions would be taken against those found responsible once the final report is completed. Swapnil Neela, the chief public relations officer of Central Railway, confirmed receipt of the preliminary report but noted that the final inquiry report is still pending.
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The derailment incident has raised concerns about railway safety and engineering practices in India, particularly regarding the maintenance of Vande Bharat trains.
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