New Delhi: The driver, assistant driver, and guard of the goods train are under scrutiny for their roles in the tragic Kanchenjunga train accident in West Bengal on Monday, according to a joint investigation report by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The incident, which claimed the lives of 10 individuals including crew members, has sparked concerns over operational safety protocols.Whats in report A senior official of the Railway Board said that as per the Railway Manual, after a rail accident, the divisional officers investigate it and submit the report to the department. Along with this, a separate investigation is conducted by the Railway Safety Commissioner (CRS). Section Engineer, Path-way Engineer, Junior Engineer etc. of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) division have prima facie blamed the crew members of the goods train in the investigation report of the Kanchenjunga train accident.Conduct initial investigations into rail accidentsIn response to the findings, senior officials of the Railway Board highlighted that divisional officers conduct initial investigations into rail accidents as per protocol, with subsequent reports submitted for departmental review. The Railway Safety Commissioner (CRS) also conducts independent inquiries.Opted to ban TA-912 memosThe official said that in case of a failure of the automatic signal system on any section (between two railway stations), passenger trains and goods trains are operated with Traveling Authority 912 (TA-912) memos. In this, trains have to stop for one minute at the red signal and the train is run at the restricted speed of 15 km per hour. Due to the above problem on the Rangapani-Chhatar section, the passenger train was operated as per TA-912.But the driver-assistant driver of the goods train did not follow the rule. Let us tell you that the goods train hit the Kanjanjungha train standing ahead at a speed of about 45 km per hour from behind. The goods train manager (guard) of the goods train was negligent in this. Because the guard has the duty to apply emergency brakes and alert the driver-assistant driver.Lapses in implementing block rule Critically, the report identifies lapses in implementing the absolute block rule at Rangapani station, where the goods train was dispatched without ensuring clearance for the approaching Kanchenjunga train to reach Chhatar station.
