Train derailed: Probe indicates guiding system glitch

The New Farakka Express derailed due to failure of a mechanical installation on the tracks, which guides trains from one track to the other, the preliminary enquiry report said.

Five people died and around 30 were injured when five coaches of the train derailed near Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on October 10.

The report of the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) said that a green signal was given despite a point failure following which the train derailed.

A point is at the juncture of two tracks and when it creates a path for the train only then a signal is given for the train to go ahead.

In view of such accidents, the CRS suggested that the railways should decide a reasonable time as well as reasonable number of attempts after which a point, not responding to the command given from contrail panel, is to be declared as failed.

It listed measures to avoid tampering of signaling circuit.

The commission also recommended that drivers should be trained to use the independent loco brake in case of an emergency, only when it is completely unavoidable.

Emergency breaks must not be used on turns and curves as this may exert excessive unbalanced forces due to the momentum of the trailing load, the report said.

The CRS is expected to give a final report in a couple of months.