A jinxed railway stretch

The railway track between the Yeshwantpur station in Bengaluru and the Anantpur station in Andhra Pradesh is a jinxed stretch, according to railway officials and passengers who commute regularly on this route.

There have been five accidents on this stretch in recent years and the latest is the derailment of Train Number 16594 at Gate No 77 between Rangepalli and Penukonda stations on the Dharmavaram section of Bengaluru division at 2.23 am on Monday.

A senior railway official said that the tracks were jinxed because three accidents had happened in the past three years. Fire broke out in the Nanded Express at Kothacheruvu in December 2013. This incident had occurred at 3 am, in which 26 travelling in AC three-tier coach died. In May 2012, á total of 25 people died when the Hampi Express train jumped a signal at 3 am and crashed into a stationary train at the Penukonda station.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, South Western Railways, Divisional Railway Manager Anil Kumar Agarwal said that this was a freak accident as the granite block almost came flying killing five people at the manned level crossing where all rules were followed- speed breakers, barricades, hooter and red light. Last year the Nanded express tragedy too had occurred at the same place.

“Seems like we need some special prayers for this track. Being a single line, this track is vulnerable. If any accident happens, train movement is affected. Work on track-doubling from Yelahanka to Penukonda was sanctioned recently. Work will start in 3-4 months. Track-doubling from Yeshwantpur to Yelahanka is under way and will be completed by October. Track-doubling from Bengaluru City station to Yeshwantpur has been completed. The State government delays providing land. We are discussing what more passenger safety steps need to be taken on this line,” Agarwal said.