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The goods train that hit the Kanchenjunga Express from behind between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat junction in West Bengal on Monday was allowed to cross all red signals as automatic signalling had “failed”, an internal railway document revealed. A railway source said the driver of the goods train was given a written approval, called TA 912, by the station master of Ranipatra, authorising him to cross all red signals. “Automatic signalling has failed and you are authorised to cross all automatic signals between RNI (Ranipatra railway station) and CAT (Chattar Hat junction).” The authority letter said, “The train’s signalling system was out of order since morning.” It also mentioned that there are nine signals between RNI and CAT and the goods train driver has the authority to cross all signals swiftly, irrespective of whether they are showing red or caution (yellow or double yellow) indications. “TA 912 is issued when there is no obstruction or any train on the line in that section and it gives the driver authority to cross the red or caution signal. It is a matter of investigation why the station master did this. He may have misunderstood that the previous train had crossed the station section and entered the other section,” a railway source said. According to the source, the automatic signalling system between RNI and CAT was out of order since 5.50 am on Monday.
Reason for train halt not known
The source told PTI, “Train number 13174 (Sealdah-Kanchenjunga Express) left Rangapani station at 8.27 am and remained halted between RNI and CAT. The reason for the train halt is not known.” According to another railway official, when the automatic signalling system fails, the station master issues a written authority letter called TA 912, which authorises the driver to cross all the red signals in the section due to the fault.
Death toll 9
“The station master of Ranipatra issued TA 912 to train no. 13174 (Sealdah-Kanchenjunga Express),” the source said. “Around the same time a goods train, GFCJ, left Rangapani at 8:42 am and hit the Kanchenjunga Express from behind at 8:55 am, resulting in derailment of the guard’s coach, two parcel coaches and a general seating coach (of the passenger train).” The Railway Board, in its initial statement, said the driver of the goods train ignored the signal. It put the total death toll at nine. Besides, nine people are seriously injured and 32 have suffered minor injuries.
Jaya Verma Sinha calls it possible “human error”
Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha pointed to possible “human error” on the part of the freight train driver, saying the collision near New Jalpaiguri probably happened because the freight train ignored the signal and hit the Kanchenjunga Express going from Agartala to Sealdah. The loco pilots’ association has questioned the railway’s statement that the driver violated the rail signal. Sanjay Pandhi, working president of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen’s Organisation (IRLRO), said, “Now, it is clear from the document that due to a glitch, the freight train’s loco pilot was given authority to cross the red signal. This is the failure of the railway administration and not the driver’s fault.” He said, “It is highly objectionable to hold the loco pilot responsible even though the loco pilot is dead and the CRS investigation is pending.”
