Bhubaneswar: A railway pointsman in Balasore was suspended for negligence in duty in connection with the Memu train that escaped a major accident narrowly on Tuesday near Nilgiri road railway station.
The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) placed the pointsman under suspension after he failed to give satisfactory explanation. The DRM has also ordered a departmental inquiry in the incident.
A MEMU train from Bhadrak to Balasore managed a narrow escape due to the presence of mind of the locomotive pilot.
The mishap was averted at the Nilgiri Road railway station in Balasore district on Tuesday after the loco pilot spotted the train mistakenly entering the loop line where some developmental work was underway. The loco pilot immediately stopped the train by applying brake.
The latest incident was reported when the Bhadrak-Balasore Memu Train (No 08032) was on its way to Balasore from Bhadrak station. The train mistakenly entered a loop line track near Baruna Singh chhak at the Nilgiri Road railway station. The loco pilot detected an error at the track endpoint and promptly applied the brakes, preventing a certain mishap. He also informed the signal outpost.
Once the track error was resolved, he reversed the movement of the train, taking it back main track.
The quick mind of the pilot also prevented a major traffic disruption on the main track.
The loco pilot said: “The train was travelling at a speed of 7-8 kmph, and the track had been set in the opposite direction due to ongoing construction work. The switch could have malfunctioned. While a derailment was unlikely, the tracks would have sustained damage.”
The passengers heaved a sigh of relief after reaching Balasore station. They showered praises on the loco pilot.
It is worth mentioning that over 290 passengers had died in the worst rail tragedy near Bahanaga station in same district last month. Three railway employees were arrested by the CBI in this connection. Seven staff including station master were also suspended.
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