Kochi: Loco-pilot laxity has engine derail

Kochi: A loco-engine derailed during shunting at the Ernakulam Junction station on Thursday morning after the loco-pilot allegedly took it forward before receiving signal.

The mishap happened at 7.25 am when a guard coach was being towed from one end to other using the engine to link it with the Ernakulam-Nilambur Passenger.

"The coach was being taken from Track six to seven as part of the shunting process. However, the loco-pilot took the engine forward before receiving the signal, resulting in the derailment," said Ernakulam area manager R. Harikrishnan.

"The divisional railway manager immediately suspended him and ordered a detailed inquiry.” The authorities separated the guard coach from the engine before deploying self-propelled accident relief train (SPART). The engine was retrieved nearly two hours later.

“A few trains got affected, especially the Ernakulam-Nilambur Passenger that left the station at 9 am, over one and a half hours late. The Guruvayur-Ernakulam Passenger too was halted at Ernakulam North for nearly half an hour,” the official said.

“I was travelling by the Guruvayur-Ernakulam Passenger which was halted at Ernakulam North by 9.25 am. After 15 minutes, announcements were made that the train will depart only by 10 am. Most of the passengers to the South got out and began to proceed by other means. Suddenly the train left to the South, around 9.45 am, irking passengers,” said Mohan Nair, a commuter.

Interestingly, the mishap happened when the newly-appointed divisional railway manager Shirish Kumar Sinha was visiting the Ernakulam station for the first time to attend a high-level meeting of chief electrical engineers here.

Meanwhile, the engine of the Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express developed a technical snag upon reaching Irinjalakuda at 9.45 am. The officials, though, were relieved when the crew themselves were able to fix the problem half an hour later. The train got late by over two hours.