Goods train running without driver; Railways dismisses loco pilot from service

SRINAGAR: Railways with action against loco pilot after goods train ran from Katwa in Jammu and Kashmir to Pathankot in Punjab without a driver. Northern Railway Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer (CME) issued the disciplinary action notice. Loco pilot Sandeep Kumar has been dismissed in the incident.

The loco pilot, Sandeep Kumar, “failed to fulfil his duties” and observe safe practice as mentioned in the railway norms. He adopted a shortcut and used improper engine stabling procedures which led to it rolling down along with 53 wagons for almost 70 km in the Firozpur Division.
This could have resulted in a major incident causing both loss to life and property. It also brought a bad name to the safety image of Indian Railway as a whole and Northern Railway in particular”, it was said in the notice.

Due to the negligence of the loco pilot, the goods train with 53 bogies ran for about 70 km. About 12 trains had to be stopped in the region from Jalandhar Cantonment to Jammu Tawi due to the incident.

The loco pilot had gone to have tea after stopping the goods train at Katwa in Jammu on February 25 without taking adequate safety precautions. Following this, the train started moving at a speed of 70 to 75 kmph. The train was stopped at Unchi Bassi near Pathankot after sand and wooden blocks were placed on the tracks.

As soon as the incident took place, the railways suspended six officials, including the loco pilot. The High Commission's investigation has also started into the incident.