New Delhi: The probe by the Commissioner of Railway Safety has stated that the Kanchanjunga Express accident involving a goods train was “waiting to happen” due to multiple lapses in managing train operations in automatic signal zones.
Furthermore, the CRS highlighted “inadequate counselling” provided to loco pilots and station masters as contributing factors to the accident.
In its investigation report on the June 17 accident in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district, which resulted in 10 fatalities, including the loco pilot of the goods train, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) also recommended prioritizing the implementation of the Automatic Train Protection system (KAVACH).
As per official sources, due to lightning, some circuits and fuses in the relay hut between Rangapani and Chatterhat were shorted, causing the signals to turn red.
Once this was discovered, the station staff, as per the rules, issued directions to the loco pilot and guards as is done in such cases.
As per protocol, if any such situation arises, loco pilots are expected to follow a set of protocols which requires them to Stop at red, wait 1 minute if it day time, wait 2 minutes if it is night and the proceed at a speed of 15 kmph
Sources said that this protocol is uniform across the country, and the same was followed in this case as well.
However, the loco pilot of the goods train did not correctly interpret the protocols, whereas the loco pilot of the Kanchanjunga train correctly interpreted it and stopped at the red signal.
Due to this the accident took place. Following this accident and subsequent probe, the railways have decided to bring suitable changes the authority form to prevent any possibility of misinterpretation, further strengthen the training of loco pilots and their assistants, standardize the authority forms of different zones so that loco pilots across the country see the same form and develop an action plan to increase the reliability of signalling equipment.
Sources said as a learning from this unfortunate accident, a lot of resources is now being put to strengthen the signalling system to ensure no such accidents take place again.