Loco pilots reject rly report on Anekal train accident

 The All India Loco Running Staff Association has taken strong exception to the report submitted by S K Mital, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Southern Circle, on the derailment of Ernakulam-bound Intercity Express near Anekal on the outskirts of Bengaluru on February 13, 2015, in which 10 passengers were killed and 150 others injured.

“The conclusion made by S K Mital, Commissioner of Railway Safety, is baseless and illogical intended to safeguard the real culprits,” the association’s general secretary, C Sunish, stated in a press statement.

“The Senior Section Engineer Permanent Way/Hosur is fixed with primary responsibility of the accident since he enhanced the train speed to normal against the stipulated norms of imposing speed restriction after completion of a track-repairing process. But the CRS conveniently ignored the reasons behind the so-called enhancement in speed limits abruptly in violation of the norms.

The secondary responsibility has been fixed on the loco pilot for his delayed reflex action in applying emergency brakes. Anyone who is having basic knowledge of locomotive pneumatic/electro-pneumatic brake system will feel pity on this finding,” he added.

The loco pilot was running at a speed of 63 kmph whereas the permitted speed was 80 kmph. Hence, the question of excessive/emergency application does not arise and will not cause any derailment considering the facts related to the coaches and the tracks.

The accident did not take place due to boulders on track. If boulders were there, they might have damaged the engine rail guards before derailing the coaches. No such damages for the engine were visible after the accident, Sunish said.