New Delhi, Aug. 2 -- A train collision that injured nine passengers in Tamil Nadu in October was the result of sabotage, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has concluded, asking Indian Railways officials to take utmost precautions. The Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express (Train No. 12578) crashed into a stationary goods rake at Kavaraipettai station on October 11, 2024, in the Chennai Division of Southern Railway. CRS AM Choudary's detailed investigation, a copy of which was seen by HT, showed someone had tampered with critical railway infrastructure: The saboteurs removed fittings and connections from the left-hand switch of Point number 518, then forced the left-hand tongue rail against the stock rail even when the right-hand tongue rail was already in position. In other words, they jammed the railway switch into an impossible position where both sides were locked, ensuring any train passing through would derail or collide rather than being properly guided onto either track. "This happened not due to automatic or sudden failure of any equipment but due to the forceful alteration in the designed position of LH tongue rails, by the miscreant(s)," Choudary stated, officially classifying the incident under "sabotage." The train driver's quick response prevented a more serious disaster. Choudary commended the loco pilot of train 12578 for "outstanding alertness and promptness in applying emergency brakes," which reduced both the train's speed and the collision's impact. He recommended the driver's "commendable action" be suitably recognised. In a July 15 office memorandum, the CRS raised the "grave matter" of potential insider involvement, recommending that Railways' intelligence wing develop methods to gather intelligence on internal threats. The probe has prompted comprehensive safety recommendations. Railways must identify vulnerable areas prone to sabotage and enhance patrolling based on threat levels, Choudary advised....