New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI) A rail panel kept at an unsafe distance from the railway track for replacement work struck a wheel of an Eidgah-Bandikui MEMU train, causing its derailment near Kherli station in Rajasthan on October 13, a preliminary probe has found, holding the engineering department responsible for negligence.
The incident occurred on October 13 at a worksite under the Agra Division of the North Central Railway zone, where 260-metre-long rail pieces had been placed on both sides of the track on which the train was running, according to the probe report.
A joint investigation conducted by six railway officials found that several basic safety measures to segregate the rail panels from the operational track were missing.
The probe report noted hitting marks on the lower portion of one side of the coaches, suggesting that they had struck a rail panel, resulting in the derailment due to the impact.
Preparations for track replacement were underway in the section when the incident occurred, officials said.
An internal communication from the Railway Ministry, circulated among senior officials, also confirmed the negligence, stating that the derailment took place at a Through Rail Renewal (TRR) worksite where a rail panel had not been placed at a proper distance from the track.
“There was a bad case of derailment of MEMU at a TRR worksite, where the rail panel was not kept at the proper distance; thereby the wheel of the train hit the rail panel in Agra Division of North Central Railway Zone, leading to derailment,” the communication said.
The ministry has emphasised the need for senior railway officials to ensure worksite safety and prevent negligence that could threaten passenger safety.
“Worksite safety has been emphasised again and again, and random checks are a must. Worksite safety should be closely watched,” the communication added.
Senior railway officials have been directed to make random inspections part of their daily routine, while Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) have been asked to review these activities regularly.
“Deterrent action, counselling and training need to be in place,” the communication stated.
The ministry has also directed the general managers of all railway zones and the DRMs to conduct audits and random inspections of such worksites and submit the current status to the Railway Board’s Safety Directorate and the Executive Director (Efficiency and Research).
A wheel of a MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) train operating between Agra in Uttar Pradesh and Bandikui in Rajasthan derailed near Kherli station on Tuesday morning.
There were no casualties or injuries among passengers or crew members. However, the derailment led to the diversion and rescheduling of several trains on the route. PTI JP NB
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