J&K to Punjab driverless train run leads to suspension of employees
Kanwar Inder singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ February 26,2024
“After initial probe, the railways has suspended its six employees with immediate effect and the railway board has constituted a high-level committee to probe the incident “said Divisional railway manager (DRM), Ferozepur, Sanjay Sahoo.
Sahoo said “a day after an unmanned goods train traveled 84 km from Kathua near Jammu before it was stopped at Ucchi Bassi in Punjab’s Mukerian, the railways placed six employees under suspension.”
“On the basis of a preliminary probe, six railway employees, including Kathua station master, loco pilot (driver), assistant loco pilot (ALP), Kathua’s point man, local inspector and traffic inspector concerned have been suspended with immediate effect,” added the DRM, Ferozepur.
“The committee members are in Kathua and will submit a detailed report after looking into the reasons behind the negligence. “On the basis of the report, further action will be taken,” the DRM said.
While giving the details of the incident, Sahoo said “the initial probe showed the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot ALP left the train unattended as the crew was to change at Kathua station. The train began moving because of the steep slope at the station due to which it gained enough momentum to travel several kilometres. The inquiry committee will look into the reasons behind how the train kept moving at such a high speed even as the engines were not operational.
As per reports a 53-wagon loaded diesel engine led goods train reportedly running without a driver and at 100 kilometres per hour (kmph), was captured in a video that went viral on social media.
J&K to Punjab driverless train run leads to suspension of employees . An official said had it been an electric locomotive, the railways could have easily cut off the power supply and stopped the train but being a diesel engine its not easy to stop it.
