NB Exclusive | Sabotage in interlocking signal system? Another train accident averted after loco pilot slams emergency brakes in Odisha's Balasore
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On Tuesday, a Memu train narrowly avoided a severe train derailment near Baruna Singh Chhak at Nilgiri Road railway station in Odisha's Balasore district.
According to preliminary reports, the train entered a loop line track where some maintenance was being done. The presence of mind of the loco pilot, who realized something was awry and applied emergency brakes, allegedly saved the day.
The Memu train was on its way from Bhadrak district to Balasore when the loco pilot hit the brakes after discovering an error in the track terminus.
The loco pilot then reportedly reversed the train towards Balasore, disrupting the passage of other trains on the track for some time.
"It was only the train driver who noticed something wrong in the tracks," claimed Bijaydhar Barik, a passenger. We got off the train after it reversed for around 200 to 300 meters. The train was travelling slowly and came to a halt a short distance from the track, which had some problems."
Though a disaster was avoided, it instilled anxiety in the minds of people on the train.
A severe railway accident in Balasore in June sent shockwaves throughout the world. The Coromandel Express and a cargo train collided, killing over 290 people.
‘Sabotage in Interlocking signal system again?
What happened with the Coromandel Express, the same is said to have happened with the Bhadrak Balasore Memu train as well as per sources on the ground who did not want to be named.
The train was said to be 40 minutes late when it passed Soro Railway station, it was to pass Barunsingh Nilgiri Road station at about 10:53 am, but it reached the said station at 12:02 pm. After 2 minute stay at the station, it increased speed towards the destination, that’s when it did not go via the main railway track & suddenly passed into the Loop line near the station which had no ends connected to the main line of the railway track.
Seeing an imminent major accident the 2 loco Pilots immediately applied emergency brakes as the train came to a Jolting halt making a thunderous sound and scaring the passengers who immediately got down on the railway tracks immediately.
The Pilot got a “green signal” to go via the main line, but due to an error in the Interlocking signal system, the train passed into the loop line.
After the incident, the train reached Balasore Railway station 2 hours late where the 2 loco pilots were felicitated by railway officials for saving the lives of passengers from a big train accident.
Later in the day, DRM summoned two officials, including Nilagiri Station Road manager in connection with today's incident. The officials have been asked to submit details regarding the incident, sources said.