Amritsar, October 20: Driver of the 74643 Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU train, which mowed down 61 people to death in Amritsar on Friday, was detained by the officials of Punjab and Railway police today for questioning. Denying his fault, the loco pilot said he was given the green signal to pass by at regular speed.

Officials of the Ferozepur division of the Northern Railways, under whose jurisdiction the Amritsar region falls, said the driver cannot be blamed as the intersected gates of a level crossing - located 200 metres away from where the site of accident - were lowered, signalling a clear route ahead. Amritsar Train Accident: Indian Railways Cancels 37 Trains, Diverts 16; View Complete List.

Union Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha, after visiting the accident spot last night, told reporters that the crowd gathered at the tracks near Jaura Phatak did not hear the approaching train due to the crackers being exploded.

Officials, privy to the preliminary probe, said the smoke at Jaura Phatak, due to the Ravana effigy burning, further hindered the chances of the driver to spot the locals within time to avoid the accident.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who visited the victims at the civil hospital and the Guru Nanak hospital, said his government has ordered a time-bound magisterial inquiry. The report would be submitted within 4 weeks.

The government has also sanctioned Rs 3 crore to the district administration, for disbursal of Rs 2,50,000 each to the kin of deceased. Senior Ministers of the Punjab Cabinet have been asked to remain in Amritsar for the next couple of days and oversee the relief operation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 20, 2018 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).