Train accident in Tamil Nadu: Fast restoration work helps clear the tracks

In full swing: Restoration work is underway near Kavaraipettai Railway Station. | Photo credit: Special agreement

Southern Railway on Saturday carried out a massive rescue and relief operation in coordination with several authorities following the collision of the Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express with a goods train at Kavaraipettai on Friday.

The work would be carried out with utmost urgency and precision to ensure the restoration and safety of the tracks and signals, Southern Railway said.

Key agencies such as the National Disaster Response Force, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, State Police, Railway Protection Force and State Railway Police have been mobilized. More than 500 emergency services were on site for the rescue operation.

Five heavy earthmoving machines, two 140-tonne cranes, heavy rerailing equipment, an accident relief train from Tondiarpet marshalling yard, a self-propelled accident relief train equipped with emergency equipment, medical facilities, communication systems and specialist personnel deployed.

Some of the derailed wagons were put back on the tracks. The wagons that could not be rerailed were removed from the main track. In the evening, the main line was cleared of derailed wagons and traffic was partially restored. A total of 10 wagons, including nine AC wagons and one railcar, of the express train and two wagons of the freight train were removed with cranes.

Southern Railway has also stopped the previously announced diversion of trains on the route, a statement said.

RN Singh, General Manager, Southern Railway, said, “The Railway Safety Commissioner inspected the locomotives and switches, among other things. We leave it to him to find prima facie evidence of the cause of the crash. The [express] The train should continue on the main line. The signal was only given for the main line. The train was traveling at 90 km/h, which is permitted. Since work was being done on the other track, the driver slowed down. But instead of entering the main line, the train entered the ring line. That’s where the error occurred…”

AM Chowdhary, Railway Safety Officer, Southern Circle, Bengaluru, conducted a statutory inspection at the accident site.

Railway and police sources said the signal failure could be due to loosened screws on the switch and block systems on the line.

“Rare occurrence”

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan termed the accident as a rare event and asked the people to compare the “safety record” of the BJP regime with that of the previous government.

Train accidents have declined significantly in the last decade, he added.