South Western Railway has issued a statement dismissing any connection to the blast that has killed 5 workers at a quarry in Shivamogga in Karnataka.
Official statement below:
It is reported in a section of the press that the suspected blast in a stone quarry in Shivamogga yesterday was related to a work being undertaken by agencies sourcing ballast to the Railways in that area. The possibility of an earthquake triggering a blast in the quarry where dynamites are believed to have been stored is also speculated.
The Railway Administration hereby strongly refutes these hearsay, unverified and speculative theories floated in the media bringing disrepute to the Railways.
Therefore, the Railway Administration wishes to clarify that the Railways are presently not obtaining ballast from any source in the area.
Arrangements may please be made immediately for publishing this rejoinder advising the press not to jump the gun without getting authenticated and verifiable inputs in matters relating to public safety.