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 4th 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:
3.0 A discussion with an ED , Indian Railway, posted at
Delhi—want to remain anonymous.
3.0 IMAGE:-- ET
negligence and sensitivity to accept kavach ineffectiveness, instruction deficient for green flag use, over-speed, overwork forced on driver, coordination lack lead to the accident . in the whole sequence of system check and balances nothing seems aimed at safety. I think Railways have to go to the primary class to get educated to act and deliver at every stage of events to ensure safety religiously without any complacency.
ReplyDeleteRIGHT. Thanks.
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