Ernakulam train traffic hit in signal failure

Kochi: A major mishap was averted at the main Ernakulam railway station on Monday morning when an empty rake rolled back from the yard line towards main operation track, but was halted just a few metres away from the busy line after hitting the ‘Trap Point’, a safety device fitted on tracks for diversion. Train operations through the region came to a grinding halt after the incident resulted in a signal failure with trains like Bangalore-Kanyakumari Island Express, Happa-Tirunelveli Express and Thiruvananthapuram-Korba Express among others getting delayed for two hours.

The incident happened at 7.45 am when 18 empty coaches of the Howrah-Ernakulam Antyodaya Express (T No 22877) stationed at South station, to be moved to the Mar-shalling Yard for inspection, rolled down from ‘Line-8’. It hit the ‘Point’ signalling box before coming to a halt, resulting in the signal failure. “The locopilot of the Ernakulam-Nilambur passenger, which started moving out from the station, first noticed the empty rake rolling down and alerted the authorities,” a senior railway official said. As per a preliminary probe, the mechanical staff released brake of the rake in anticipation of the locopilot boarding the engine soon, a serious security lapse.

“An inquiry has been ordered and a report will be submitted in five days. Factors like whether it was stationed in brake mode or skid was placed and the like would be probed in detail. Action will be taken against the concerned staff if found guilty,” said R. Harikrishnan, area manager, said. Rail traffic was finally restored by 11.30 am. Meanwhile, another signal failure was reported from Aluva at 3.30 pm when signal cable was cut by a JCB during the construction activities of a Food Plaza, resulting in delay of trains upto half an hour.