In a shocking revelation, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw disclosed that the ‘Loco Pilot’ and ‘Co-Pilot’ of a train involved in a tragic collision in Andhra Pradesh were immersed in watching a cricket match on their smartphones, leading to the death of 14 passengers on October 29, 2023. The collision between the Rayagada Passenger train and the Visakhapatnam Palasa train occurred around 7 pm along the Howrah-Chennai line in Kantakapalli, Vizianagaram district.
More than 50 passengers sustained injuries in the mishap. Vaishnaw emphasized this incident while discussing ongoing efforts by Indian Railways to improve safety measures. It’s important to note that the term ‘driver’ used by the minister may not precisely reflect railway operations, as they are referred to as ‘Loco Pilot’ and ‘Co-Pilot.’ Nevertheless, the focus remains on preventing such disasters through stricter safety protocols.
“The recent case in Andhra Pradesh occurred because both the loco pilot and co-pilot were distracted by the cricket match. We are now implementing systems to detect such distractions, ensuring that pilots and assistant pilots remain fully focused on running the train. Safety is our priority, and we thoroughly investigate each incident to identify root causes and implement preventive measures,” Vaishnaw stated, as quoted by India Today.
Amidst discrepancies in Indian Railways, an official report by the Commissioners of Railway Safety (CRS) remains undisclosed. However, an initial railway investigation conducted a day after the incident attributed the collision to the Loco Pilot and co-pilot of the Rayagada Passenger train, citing the disregard of two faulty auto signals and breaching safety protocols. Tragically, both crew members lost their lives in the accident. The awaited CRS report is expected to provide detailed findings and recommendations regarding the unfortunate incident.
On March 1, Northern Railways took action against the loco pilot of a freight train that autonomously traveled about 70 km from Jammu’s Kathua to Punjab’s Ucchi Bassi. The senior divisional mechanical engineer (DME) issued a notice, citing “negligence” and emphasizing the potential for a “major incident” with the risk of lives. This decision underscores the seriousness of safety lapses within the railway system, highlighting the paramount importance of vigilance and adherence to protocols.
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