Tamil Nadu Train Accident: A major train accident occurred in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, when the 12578 Mysore-Darbhanga Express collided with a stationary goods train, causing 12 coaches to derail. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, though the incident has raised alarming questions about safety protocols.Details of the Tamil Nadu Train accidentOn Friday night, tragedy struck in the Ponneri-Kavarapettai section of the Chennai rail division when the Mysore-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a parked goods train. The passenger train, traveling at 75 km/h, derailed after unexpectedly switching to a loop line, resulting in the derailment of 12 coaches and two catching fire.The express, equipped with LHB coaches, had passed Ponneri station at 8:27 PM and was initially cleared to continue on the main track. However, as it approached Kavarapettai, it experienced a jolt and veered onto a loop line, where it crashed into the stationary goods train.Despite the severity of the crash, only minor injuries were reported among passengers, and no fatalities have been confirmed. However, rail traffic on the route has been halted as crews work to clear the debris.Cause of the accident is still under investigationPreliminary investigations by Southern Railway officials have suggested that the express train was mistakenly directed onto the loop line, which led to its collision with the parked goods train. This raises concerns about a possible sabotage attempt or a human error by railway staff, as the train had been given a green signal for the main line.In light of these suspicions, the Railways have decided to transfer the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in addition to an inquiry by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS). Authorities are also investigating the signaling systems role in the mishap.Theres eerie similarity to the Balasore train tragedyThis accident bears a chilling resemblance to the Balasore train tragedy in Odisha, where a similar loop line error led to the deaths of around 300 people in June 2023. In that incident, the Coromandel Express was mistakenly directed onto a loop line, where it collided with a stationary goods train. The derailment caused a chain reaction, leading to a second collision with the Yeshwantpur Express on an adjacent track, causing further devastation.The Balasore tragedy was later attributed to a signaling error, where the system showed a green signal for the main line, despite the point being set for the loop line. The recurrence of such an incident in Tamil Nadu has reignited concerns about railway safety and the accuracy of signaling systems.What is Loop Lines in RailwaysA loop line is a secondary track running parallel to the main line at railway stations or junctions. These tracks are primarily used to manage train traffic by allowing faster trains to pass by slower or stationary ones. Loop lines are crucial for maintaining efficient traffic flow, particularly at busy railway stations. However, as evidenced by both the Tamil Nadu and Balasore accidents, misrouting onto a loop line can have catastrophic consequences if not properly managed.As the investigation continues, railway authorities are under pressure to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent future tragedies by addressing potential lapses in the system.
