Kanchanjunga Express accident: Freight train was moving at high speed… drivers were not following procedure, says official

Kumar’s remarks came after an investigation into the accident started on Wednesday under Janak Kumar Garg, chief security commissioner, North East Frontier Railway.

According to officials, the members of the probe committee questioned the station manager, goods manager (guard) and three rail gate guards of the Rangapani railway station and the drivers of the Kanchenjunga Express. Of the 2 loco-pilots of the goods train, one died during the accident, the other is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

“One of the gate guards claimed that he had informed the Rangapani control unit that a goods train was crossing Rangapani at high speed but due to system failure a communication line with the loco pilots of the goods train couldn’t be established. The gate man had alerted the control room,” said an official.

The official also said a forensic test will be conducted on the engine of the goods train. As per a senior official, prima facie, it appears that the automatic signalling system on the line was down and the trains were given ‘paper line clearance’ by the Rangapani station manager to cross.

Sources said that there are three rail gates along the three-kilometre stretch between the Rangapani railway station and the accident site. As per preliminary investigation, the Kanchenjunga Express entered Rangapani railway station at 8.20 am Monday and left at 8.27 am. The accident happened at 8.55 am and the goods train left Rangapani station at 8.42 am.

Officials said that it’s not yet clear if the Kanchanjunga Express made any halts after leaving Rangapani railway station or if the goods trains were moving at a higher speed thereby reducing the distance between the two trains.

The automatic signalling system at Rangapani station was not functioning since 5.30 am Monday due to which a ‘paper line clearance’ ticket is given to loco-pilots to cross at 8.20 am, and the goods train at 8.35 am.

Meanwhile, the preliminary report of the investigation into the accident has also been submitted to the Railway Safety Commission. Sources in the railways said the report contains information about the speed levels of the goods train and Kanchenjunga Express on the day of the accident.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the accident went to meet Manu Kumar, the surviving loco-pilot of the goods train, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.