The CCRS in its report also pointed out that besides the Kanchanjunga Express and the goods train, five more trains had entered the section when the signals turned defective before the accident on June 17. (Representational/FilePhoto)
Failure of automatic signal, lapses at multiple levels in managing operations, and non-availability of critical safety equipment such as walkie-talkie with the loco pilot and train manager are some of the reasons cited for the June 17 train collision in Darjeeling district that left 10 people dead and over 40 others injured.
In its preliminary probe report, the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) said that the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express (DN 13174), which got rammed by a freight train (DN GFCJ) from behind, followed the norm of moving at a maximum speed of 15 kmph and stopped for one minute at every defective signal, while the other trains in that section, including the goods train involved in the accident, didn’t follow the norm.
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“…so far, I have come to the conclusion that the rear-end collision between Train No. DN 13174 Kanchanjunga Express and DN GFCJ container between Rangapani — Chatterhat electrified double line section of Katihar Division of North Frontier Railway at 08:50 hrs on 17.06.2024 occurred due to lapses at multiple levels in managing the train operations under automatic signal failures,” the provisional probe report stated.
“Non-issuing of the caution order… non-availability of critical safety equipment (walkie-talkie) with the loco pilot and train manager… inadequate counseling of loco pilots and station masters about trains operating in the automatic signaling territory, creating misinterpretation and misunderstanding of rules” were among the reasons highlighted in the report.
The CCRS in its report also pointed out that besides the Kanchanjunga Express and the goods train, five more trains had entered the section when the signals turned defective before the accident on June 17.
“…it is noted that although the same authority was issued to the loco pilots of all the five trains, different
speeds were followed while passing the defective signals and thereby taking different time.
The loco pilot of DN 13174 (Kanchanjunga Express) followed the provision of GR 9.02 and was moving at a maximum speed or 15 kmph, stopping for one minute at the foot of the automatic signal,” the report stated.
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“…some of the loco pilots followed the 15 kmph rule, while most of the loco pilots did not follow this rule. The absence of proper authority and that too without adequate information, created misinterpretation and misunderstanding about the speed to be followed,” the report stated.
Stating that a large number of signal failures defeats its very purpose, the report said: “There have been 275 failures in the auto section of Katihar Division since its commissioning in January 2023 till June 20, 2024. The large number of signaling failures in the automatic section is defeating the very purpose of mobility enhancement and causing safety concerns also.”
In the recommendation part of the report, the CCRS stated: “The introduction of new auto signaling sections should consummate with the provision of Automatic Train Protection. Further, the necessity of auto signaling in the non-suburban section shall be reviewed considering the limited number of train movements in the non-suburban section. The occurrence of as many as 208 cases of signal passing at danger from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2024, and out of which 12 resulting in collision, highlights the limitations of preventive measures taken by the Zonal Railways…”
Earlier, The Indian Express reported that NFR’s Katihar Divisional Railway Manager Surrendra Kumar had said that the automatic signaling system and the train tracking system in the section got disrupted around 5.15 am on June 17, following which trains were running under speed restrictions.
Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas.
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Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
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