Experts have said that as per rules, the station master has to give written permission to the loco-pilot to leave the train but this was not done in this case, as per the report.
बड़ा हादसा टला, 75 किमी दौड़ी चालक रहित मालगाड़ी, चालक और स्टेशन मास्टर निलंबित
Preliminary investigation into the incident of a goods train running on the tracks without a driver for about 75 kilometers between Kathua (Jammu) and Unchi Bassi station (Punjab) in the Jammu Tawi-Pathankot section of the Railways has revealed that the loco-pilot (driver ) and Station Master, both failed to discharge their responsibilities.
According to an official railway correspondence, the driverless train ran at a speed of 70 to 75 km per hour. It crossed eight to nine stations and covered a distance of 75 km, after which it was stopped at High Bassi by placing barriers like sand and wooden ‘blocks’ on the track.
The joint investigation report, signed by five senior railway officials, has recorded the statements of various persons involved in the incident and detailed the sequence of events which point to dereliction of duty by the driver and the station master of Kathua. Does.
According to the report, the loco-pilot has argued in his statement that apart from applying ‘hand brake’ to keep the engine and three coaches of the goods train stable, he had also placed two pieces of wood in front of the wheel so that the train would stop there.
The report said that when the goods train was stopped and inspected by the station master at Uchi Bassi, which was video recorded, it was found that the ‘hand brakes’ of the coaches were not in engaged position.
It also mentioned that the Kathua station master on duty did not properly stabilize the goods train between 6:05 am and 7:10 am. Railway officials said that as per the rules, the station master has to check that the brakes are applied appropriately and he has to take other measures to ensure that the train does not move forward.
According to reports, it was a Divisional Material Train (DMT), which is used to transport construction material and other purposes. It was standing at Kathua Junction and had 53 coaches and did not have a brake van (guard’s compartment).
The report said that at around 5.20 am, the control room had asked the station master to inform the driver to take the train to Jammu but the driver refused as it did not have a guard compartment.
According to reports, the control room asked the driver to switch off the train engine, finish his duty and board a train bound for Jammu. The driver handed over the keys of the engine to the station master at around six in the morning and left for Jammu.
The report said the train remained without a driver from 6 a.m. to 7:10 a.m. before it started moving down the slope.
Experts have said that as per rules, the station master has to give written permission to the loco-pilot to leave the train but this was not done in this case, as per the report.
According to reports, the Divisional Railway Manager of Firozpur division has suspended six railway officials based on preliminary inquiry and ordered a detailed inquiry. Kathua-Jammu Tawi section is situated under Firozpur division.
When contacted, Northern Railway General Manager Shobhan Chaudhary told PTI, “At this time, I cannot make any statement regarding the action being taken against the officials as further investigation is underway.”
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