A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court regarding the train accident in Odisha calls for an investigation conducted by an expert committee led by a retired judge.

 Keywords: Train collision, PIL, ATP system, Petion

In a devastating incident, two trains collided head-on in Odisha, resulting in multiple injuries and chaos. The collision occurred near a densely populated area, adding to the severity of the situation. The accident took place when one train reportedly overshot a signal and entered the track where another train was approaching from the opposite direction. The impact caused extensive damage to the locomotives and several coaches, leading to a chaotic scene with passengers trapped and emergency services rushing to the scene. Local authorities and railway officials swiftly launched rescue operations, with injured passengers being rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. As the investigation into the accident begins, questions are raised about the adherence to safety protocols and the potential human error that might have contributed to this tragic incident.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed at the Supreme Court, approximately 48 hours after a tragic train incident occurred in the Balasore district of Odisha. The PIL seeks a thorough investigation into the three-train collision by an expert panel led by a retired Supreme Court judge. The collision is reported to have caused the loss of life of a minimum of 288 individuals and left thousands of passengers injured.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari has filed the petition, urging the judiciary to intervene and take necessary actions to enhance the safety of Indian railways and safeguard the lives of hundreds of passengers. The petitioner seeks judicial intervention to address the concerns raised by the recent train accident in Odisha. The objective is to ensure a comprehensive investigation through the formation of an expert committee led by a retired judge, in order to prevent such accidents in the future and protect the lives of passengers.

The petitioner has specifically requested the Supreme Court to issue guidelines or directives for the implementation of an automatic train protection (ATP) system. This system aims to enhance the safety of train operations by providing automated safeguards and controls to prevent accidents. The petitioner’s plea includes the incorporation of ATP technology as a crucial measure to prevent similar train accidents in the future.

Case Details: Vishal Tiwari v. Union of India & Anr. | Writ Petition (Civil) No. ____ of 2023

Written by- Mubashara Fatima,  College name – Unity PG and Law College, Semester- 6th an intern under Legal Vidhiya

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