In Siliguri, the assistant locomotive operator of the freight prepare, presently receiving medical care, has conveyed that each he and the motive force endeavored to have interaction the brakes promptly however have been unable to stop colliding with the Kanchanjungha Categorical on Monday.
Detailing the harrowing ordeal of the incident, Manu Kumar, the assistant locomotive operator, recounted how the deceased operator had initiated braking and instructed him to do the identical. Allegedly, the motive force (deceased Anil Kumar) had urged him, “Manu, the prepare is forward! I’m making use of the brake. You additionally pull forcefully. If the coach swerves, let it swerve. Apply the brake vigorously.”
Manu recollected the concerted effort to have interaction the brakes forcefully, but to no avail, because the freight prepare collided with the rear part of the stationary Kanchanjungha Categorical situated within the Nirmaljot space of Phansidewa block adjoining to Siliguri.
This account was initially relayed by Manu whereas confined to the nursing dwelling mattress. He stands as the only real witness to the tragic incident and holds the potential to elucidate the exact sequence of occasions to railway authorities.
Manu has sustained extreme accidents within the collision and presently receives medical consideration at a nursing dwelling in Siliguri. As a consequence of his important situation, investigators have been unable to acquire his complete assertion, as he stays within the ICU.
Chief Commissioner of Railway Security, Janak Kumar Garg, leads a complete inquiry into the matter. A number of statements have been recorded to this point in reference to the incident.
The first inquiry query revolves round how the freight prepare managed to achieve a velocity of 70 km per hour, exceeding the prescribed restrict of 15 km per hour. Regardless of quite a few makes an attempt by railway officers to acquire Manu’s assertion, restricted progress has been achieved on account of his psychological misery. Owing to the trauma endured, Manu’s communication is sparse, necessitating psychiatric intervention.
Railway preliminary investigations recommend that the issuance of T/A 912 authority letter was prompted by a malfunction in automated signaling between Rangapani and Chatterhat stations within the early hours of June 17. Moreover, ‘T 369 (3B)’ varieties have been issued to the operators of each the Kanchanjungha Categorical and the freight prepare. Per rules, the station grasp could authorize prepare operation utilizing this kind within the occasion of automated signaling system malfunctions.
Nonetheless, in such cases, the prepare’s pace shouldn’t exceed 15 km per hour. Primarily based on these varieties and preliminary railway findings, it seems that the freight prepare operator, Anil Kumar, disregarded rule T 369 (3B). Investigators surmise that the collision could have resulted from the freight prepare surpassing the 15 km per hour pace restrict.
Conversely, efforts are underway to establish proof of braking by the freight automotive to avert a collision. The locomotive of the freight prepare undergoes forensic examination.
Quite a few down line sleepers have been fractured on the scene on account of abrupt brake software. Investigators probe whether or not these fractures have been attributable to affect or braking.
Surendra Kumar, Katihar Division DRM, remarked, “It’s untimely to attract conclusions at current. Quite a few inquiries are ongoing to deal with pertinent questions. Nonetheless, Manu Kumar’s testimony stays unavailable.”
In the meantime, Manu’s mom, overwhelmed with emotion, implores, “My son is harmless. Let the allegations be substantiated first.”
