AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM: INDIA

 

ACCIDENT: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE??

KANCHANJUNGHA EXPRESS & GOODS TRAIN

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

The automatic signaling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal, where a goods train hit Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express in the rear, was defective since 5.50 in the morning, according to a railway source. "Train No 13174 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express) departed Rangapani station at 8:27 am and stopped between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat due to automatic signaling failure from 5:50 am," the source told PTI.

He added, "Around the same time, a goods train, GFCJ, departed Rangapani at 8:42 am and hit 13174 in the rear portion resulting from the derailment of the guard's coach, two parcel coaches and a general seating coach."

This accident has brought renewed attention to the railways' automatic train protection system, "Kavach", which was not available for the subject segment.

“The dead driver of the goods train is the sole responsible person for the whole collision because he jumped the Red signal.”

Is above is the response from the railway ministry and railway board??

THEN THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, MR. MINISTER.

Now the dead loco driver of Good train became the SCAPE GOAT!!. 

The Board said the station master of Rani Patra gave the goods train driver written authority to JUMP all red signals. However, the driver was supposed to move with Max.10 km/Hr  speed with one minute stoppage at each red signal, it also added.

By this, the safety was handed over to the operational  judgement of a single person. And the person, as reported, was running 4^th Night shifts consecutively.

According to the Board, he didn't observe the speed restriction and hit the Kanchenjunga Express which was waiting at one of the defective signals.

As per Operating Manual--typically, a distance of 6 to 8 kilometers is maintained between two  trains on the same track. Who was to ensure that? It is obvious that it was not ensured. Clearence shall be given at every station, physically—if automatic signal is not working—by using Green Flags, after verification by station master.

The norm also says that when the section was not clear, the goods train's loco pilot shouldn't have been given the authority letter to move. So why was the movement letter handed over to the driver? Still driver is the solely responsible person?

15 per cent posts of loco pilots are vacant. It is a critical category post. They don't get adequate rest as well as leaves. Don’t you think this will not affect their routine work? Who is responsible for this? Driver? Or the Railway board? Railway minister has the responsibility to ensure  that vacancies are filled up, and Guilty Person(s) is/are punished.

The difference in temperature inside and outside the engine is 3 degrees. These days when outside temperature is 48 degrees, loco pilots may be  working  under  51 degrees. The Railways had promised that they would get air-conditioning installed in all Pilot cabins but they didn't do that.  This shall be done, with a governor that  minimum temperature never fall  below 27 Deg. C. That may induce sleep.

Sanjay Pandhi, working president of the Indian Railway Loco Running men Organisation (IRLRO), said the driver worked for four nights continuously and was not willing to take the trip but he was forced to do that. "The driver reportedly did four night duties. I have come to know that he was reluctant to take the trip. M Raghavaiah, general secretary, the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) highlighted the issues of vacancy and stress on loco pilots. "15 per cent posts of loco pilots are vacant. It is a critical category post. They don't get adequate rest.

 

REFERENCE:

1.0 https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/kanchanjunga-train-accident-railway-unions-rally-behind-deceased-driver-say-unfair-to-blame-before-probe-3071434

2.0 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/kanchanjunga-express-accident-signal-had-been-defective-since-5-50-am-says-a-railway-source/articleshow/111056481.cms

3.0 A discussion with an ED , Indian Railway, posted at Delhi—want to remain anonymous.

3.0 IMAGE:-- ET