Andhra train crash: CRS report implies avoidable accident

17 May 2024 CW Team

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.

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