Human or mechanical error? WR to investigate

MUMBAI: The Bandra Terminusjaipur (super fast) Express, which could have derailed on Monday, has raised major concerns about safety of commuters travelling on outstation trains. On Monday the axle box in passenger coach S7 was found overheated — with temperature reaching to 239 degree Celsius —at Surat station.

The affected coach was removed and a spare coach was added. Following this, the western railway (WR) ordered an investigation.

Overheating of axle box, which is present in the underbelly of a coach near the wheels, occurs generally when there is an oil leakage or there is adequate grease.

The friction increases the temperature and if not detected, it can result in fire in the axle box, and subsequently, derailment. However, a six-hour primary maintenance of the train was undertaken by more than 20 workers, before it left. The train was then declared fit, after which it left for Jaipur. The express was also inspected at Vasai Road and was given a green signal. According to WR, prima facie, it appears to be a material failure.

“The coach is being examined in the workshop. It appears to be a material failure and not a maintenance failure. After complete investigation, if a material failure is detected, we will approach the Research Design and Standard Organisation (RDSO) for help,” said Sanjay Mishra, divisional railway manager, WR.

The WR is also probing if there was a human error. A senior WR official also said lack of proper maintenance could be the reason.

“Typically a case of overheating of an axle box occurs only after a train has completed a long journey. In this case, it had just left after maintenance at Bandra. The axle box was broken, rollers near the wheels were dislocated, molten grease was found on the wheels and no grease was found in the axle box. The error could have happened because of lack of proper maintenance,” said the official.

Passenger associations have called the incident a major safety lapse.