The driver of the goods train involved in the collision with the Kanchanjunga Express that killed at least nine people, was not at fault, according to an internal document.
The document, known as TA 912, was issued to the goods train driver by the station master of Ranipatra. It authorised the driver to pass all red signals because the automatic signalling system was defective
“Automatic Signalling has failed and you are hereby authorized to pass all automatic signals between RNI (Ranipatra Railway Station) and CAT (Chattar Hat Junction),” says the authority letter.
The TA 912 is issued to a train driver when the automatic signalling system fails, allowing the driver to pass all red signals in the affected section due to the signal defect
Sources also confirmed that the automatic signalling system between Ranipatra and Chattar Hat Junction had been malfunctioning since 5:50 am on the day of the crash.
The document also states that with the written permission, the deceased loco-pilot was authorised to cross all the nine signals that fall between RNI and CAT in speed, ignoring whether they are showing red or caution (yellow or double yellow).
Notably, the issuance of TA 912 in this case assumes there are no obstructions or other trains on the line in that section.
The railway source said that it was unclear why the station master issued the authorisation and speculated that they may have mistakenly believed that the previous train had already cleared the section.
“The TA 912 is issued when there is no obstruction or any train on the line in the section, and it authorises the driver to cross red or caution signals. It is a matter of investigation why the station master did that. He might have been under the impression that the previous train crossed the station section and entered into another section,” the railway source explained.
The fateful accident that killed at least nine people and injured dozens took place between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal on Monday
Railway Initially Said Goods Train Driver Violated Signal
The Railway Board in its initial statement said the driver of the goods train violated the signal. It pegged the overall death toll at nine. Besides, nine people were grievously injured and 32 suffered minor injuries.
“The collision happened because a goods train disregarded the signal and hit the Kanchanjunga Express, which was on its way to Sealdah from Agartala,” Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha told reporters here soon after the accident that took place at 8:55 am.
The Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO) questioned the railways’ statement that the driver violated the red signal and called it highly objectionable to declare a dead loco-pilot responsible for the accident when the inquiry is underway.
“Now, it is clear from the document that the loco pilot of the goods train was authorised to cross red signals because they were defective. This is the failure of the railway administration and not the fault of the driver,” the organisation’s working president Sanjay Pandhi said,
“It is highly objectionable to announce that the loco pilot (of the goods train), who died in the accident, is responsible and also at a time when a CRS inquiry pending,” he said.
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