JAMMU, Feb 25: In a dramatic turn of events early Sunday morning, a goods train stationed at Kathua railway station in the Jammu region triggered panic as it began rolling towards Punjab without a driver.
The alarming situation unfolded around 7:30 am, sending shockwaves through the railway authorities who swiftly mobilized to prevent a catastrophic outcome.
“The moment the goods train started running towards Punjab without any driver, the Railway authorities sounded alert to all the stations en route asking them to take all prescribed/necessary steps to stop the train,” a senior Railway officer informed Rising Kashmir
“A freight train, which was at a halt at Kathua Railway Station, suddenly started running due to the slope towards Pathankot, without any driver,” revealed Divisional Traffic Manager, Prateek Srivastava.
The train’s uncontrolled movement came to a halt near Ucchi Bassi in Mukerian, Punjab, thanks to the quick response of railway personnel.
The gravity of the situation spurred Divisional Traffic Manager, Prateek Srivastava, to order a high-level inquiry, recognizing the potentially grave implications of such an incident. Sources indicate that the train covered a distance of approximately 30 kilometers without a driver, raising concerns about safety protocols.
Initial assessments suggest that the train’s pressure brakes may not have been applied while it was stationed at Kathua, leading to its unintended journey. “If the pressure brakes are not put in the on mode, the train moves towards the slope due to vibration on the track,” explained a senior officer.
Despite the alarming situation, railway staff mobilized quickly, employing standard procedures to halt the train’s runaway journey. Authorities strategically placed small concrete blocks along the track, which gradually slowed the train’s speed. Additionally, other trains were diverted onto alternate tracks to ensure the safe passage of the unmanned goods train.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures within the railway infrastructure. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to scrutinize existing protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
