Wed Jul 16 19:08:35 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**High-Level Committee Investigates Freight Train Fire and Derailment in Tiruvallur, Disrupting Rail Services**
**Chennai, July 17, 2025 (The Hindu)** – Southern Railway has launched an investigation into a fire and derailment incident involving a freight train near Tiruvallur railway station on July 13th. The incident, which saw over a dozen wagons carrying diesel catch fire and six derail, significantly disrupted long-distance train services, causing widespread cancellations, diversions, and short terminations.
A four-member high-level committee has been formed to determine the cause of the accident and to recommend preventative measures for the future. The committee, led by Nithin Norbert, Deputy Chief Signal Officer (Traffic), includes experts from mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and security.
The committee began its investigation on Tuesday, summoning 16 railway staff from the Chennai division for questioning. Among those called were the crew of the freight train and the Mangalore Chennai Mail train, as well as the Tiruvallur station master and the freight train’s commercial supervisor. The committee also plans to interview a shift supervisor from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), the source of the diesel cargo.
The disruption to rail services has caused considerable inconvenience to thousands of passengers. Southern Railway officials are working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible while the investigation proceeds. The findings of the committee are expected to be crucial in ensuring the safety and reliability of future rail transport.
First Piper 