Train accidentally put on emergency track, driver averts collision

BAREILLY: A passenger train was accidentally directed towards an emergency track with dead-end barriers due to a major mix-up of train signals at Kasganj railway station on Wednesday night.

But the alert loco pilot prevented a collision. Senior rail officials have initiated an investigation into the matter.

The train operation at Kasganj station comes under the jurisdiction of Izzatnagar division of North Eastern Railway.

Confirming the incident, public relations officer (PRO) Rajendra Singh said, “The incident occurred around 10 pm on Wednesday. The Agra Fort passenger train coming from Agra was directed on an emergency track.”

Emergency tracks are used to force-stop rail engines in case of emergencies. “Prima facie, it appears that the mix- up occurred because of wrong signalling. The exact cause will only be deduced after investigation,” he added.

The train was packed with passengers and most of them were asleep. The loco pilots in the engine saw the dead-end and managed to stop the train in time.

The train was later reversed and put on the right track. The loco pilots informed the station master (who handles the signalling system at the platform) about the incident while senior officials in Izzatnagar, Bareilly were also informed.