Andhra train crash: CRS report implies avoidable accident
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Andhra train crash: CRS report implies avoidable accident

Railway safety experts, loco pilot associations, and trade union representatives attributed primary blame for the collision of two trains in the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway, which resulted in 17 fatalities, to senior railway operating officials. They referred to the October 29, 2023, train accident.

According to the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) report, it was found that three trains had overrun two defective signals before the accident. It was alleged that senior operating officials had overlooked these signals. The collision occurred when Train No. 08504 (VSKP-RGDA Passenger), travelling at approximately 82 kmph, passed two signals and collided with Train No. 08532 (VSKP-PAS Passenger) travelling on the same line at 16 kmph.

The recently submitted CRS report to the Railway Board primarily held the deceased train driver and assistant driver (both from Train No. 08504) responsible for overshooting the red signal and causing the collision. Secondary responsibility was assigned to the operating department of Waltair Division, including the station masters of Kantakapalli (KPL) and Alamanda (ALM), where the collision occurred.

The CRS report suggested that the accident might have been avoided had existing rules been followed or if divisional operating officials had monitored violations. It was noted that three other trains had also passed defective signals on the same day. Additionally, a previous auto signal failure in the same section was mentioned, with three trains exceeding prescribed speeds in violation of norms.

Railway safety experts, loco pilot associations, and trade union representatives attributed primary blame for the collision of two trains in the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway, which resulted in 17 fatalities, to senior railway operating officials. They referred to the October 29, 2023, train accident. According to the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) report, it was found that three trains had overrun two defective signals before the accident. It was alleged that senior operating officials had overlooked these signals. The collision occurred when Train No. 08504 (VSKP-RGDA Passenger), travelling at approximately 82 kmph, passed two signals and collided with Train No. 08532 (VSKP-PAS Passenger) travelling on the same line at 16 kmph. The recently submitted CRS report to the Railway Board primarily held the deceased train driver and assistant driver (both from Train No. 08504) responsible for overshooting the red signal and causing the collision. Secondary responsibility was assigned to the operating department of Waltair Division, including the station masters of Kantakapalli (KPL) and Alamanda (ALM), where the collision occurred. The CRS report suggested that the accident might have been avoided had existing rules been followed or if divisional operating officials had monitored violations. It was noted that three other trains had also passed defective signals on the same day. Additionally, a previous auto signal failure in the same section was mentioned, with three trains exceeding prescribed speeds in violation of norms.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Reliance, Diehl Advance Pact for Precision-Guided Munitions

Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch and Reliance Group’s Founder Chairman Anil D. Ambani have held discussions to advance their ongoing strategic partnership focused on Guided and Terminally Guided Munitions (TGM), under a cooperation agreement originally signed in 2019.This collaboration underscores Diehl Defence’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and its support for the Indian Government’s Make in India initiative. The partnership’s current emphasis is on the urgent supply of the Vulcano 155mm Precision Guided Munition system to the Indian Armed Forces.Simultaneously, the “Vulc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Modis Navnirman to Migrate to Main Board, Merge Subsidiary

Modis Navnirman Limited has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a key strategic initiative involving migration from the BSE SME platform to the Main Board of both BSE and NSE, alongside a merger with its wholly owned subsidiary, Shree Modis Navnirman Private Limited.The move to the main boards marks a major milestone in the company’s growth trajectory, reflecting its consistent financial performance, robust corporate governance, and long-term commitment to value creation. This transition will grant the company access to a broader investor base, improve market participation, en..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Global Capital Flows Remain Subdued, EMEA Leads in Q1 2025

The Bharat InvITs Association’s industry update for Q1 2025 shows subdued global capital flows, with investment volumes remaining at the lower end of the five-year range despite a late 2024 recovery. According to data from Colliers and MSCI Real Capital Analytics, activity in North America declined slightly, while EMEA maintained steady levels and emerged as the top region for investment in standing assets.The EMEA region now hosts seven of the top ten cross-border capital destinations for standing assets, pushing the United States’ share of global activity below 15 per cent. Meanwhile, in..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?