Train movement returns to normal in Pune, derailment probe report could take a month

Pune: Regular train operations at Pune railway station returned to normal on Wednesday after 24 hours of disruption caused by derailment of CSMT-Solapur Vande Bharat Express on Monday evening.The derailed Vande Bharat rake remained grounded at the Pune yard for inspection and forensic investigation.On the CSMT-Solapur route, the service is currently being maintained by a spare Vande Bharat rake, a senior official from the Solapur railway division said. "While the replacement rake is operational, we cannot say for certain when the derailed rake will return to service. Other regular trains between CSMT and Solapur continue to operate as scheduled," the official said.Hemant Kumar Behera, the divisional commercial manager and public relations officer, stated that although train movements have stabilised, officials are maintaining a close watch on operations. Another official said the investigation into the incident is a complex process. "It is too early to comment on specific aspects of the ongoing probe. Presently, our focus is also on the arrival of inaugural Amrit Bharat Express, which is scheduled to reach Hadapsar railway station around midnight on Thursday," the official added.Sources within the division indicated that the final investigation report is expected to take at least a month, as it requires a comprehensive probe. This includes detailed interviews with the loco pilots and all personnel involved with the train at the time of the incident.In the immediate aftermath of the derailment on Monday, Central Railway officials identified a "diamond crossing" in the Pune yard as the potential cause. While replacing this crossing is a priority, Central Railway chief public relations officer Swapnil Nila said that the work is intricate and will require significant time to complete safely.Railway authorities have now placed the Pune yard remodelling project on fast track. The project is seen as a long-term solution to prevent such mishaps. "Before we can take ‘blocks' (temporary shutdowns) to remove the diamond crossing and perform other track work, we must complete the construction of new platforms and additional track laying," an official said.With the Hadapsar station nearly ready and already handling some operations, the plan is to complete six new platforms at Pune station. Once this additional capacity is ready, the main lines will be cleared for necessary technical overhauls and track changes.
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