Khawaja Saad Rafique explains reason for Hazara train tragedy

Federal Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique Tuesday explained the reason for the Hazara train tragedy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Saad Rafique, blaming the media, said that they have falsely termed the Permali wooden fishplates imported from Holland and Germany. They are not ordinary pieces of wood but a very vital part of railway operations.

Taking responsibility for a faulty engine, Saad Rafique said that one of the locomotives had two jammed wheels which should not have been part of the operation. Instead, the wheels were lubricated and the train engine was put to work which became one of the main reasons for the accident.

Railway Minister said that another major reason behind the tragedy was a cyclic rail top which derailed the train. He added that six people responsible for the cyclic top were suspended after the inquiry.

He said that the citizens of Semari have put in a lot of work in helping the victims of the accident along with the Sindh Government and the armed forces.

The flooding situation might be a factor behind the accident as the railway track is 150-year-old and only an amount of Rs10 billion is required to get it improved.