Chanawan Bridge track was fine, train derailed due to overspeeding: Saad Rafique
Failing to apply brakes at stop red is a crime, says federal minister
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Monday has said that the Chanawan bridge track was fine and the train derailed due to high speed.
The federal minister brushed the responsibility off government s shoulder and smoothly put it on martyred driver in a press briefing in the capital.
Rafique said that the joint investigation team (JIT) is working above all external pressures. He said that the authorities are trying to find out the reason behind train’s unnecessary high speed. The minister said that the condition of railway track was fine.
He said that the team is finding out whether there was a mechanical fault in engine or not. The engine of ill-fated train was made part of the Pakistan Railways in 1967, he added. He also said that only 50 bridges await renovation out of a mega total of 13,959.
Rafique said that failing to apply brakes at stop red is a crime.
He said that the train did not stop at the registered pad before it met accident. It is yet to be found out whether train derailed due to fish plates or high speed, he added.
The minister said that the JIT recorded statement of an army official.
