Accident Averted: The loco-pilot used “presence of mind” to avert a possible tragedy

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Good work done by loco-pilot in Pune Division, Central Railway

On 08 May 2020, for loco no. 23945 + 23059 and train no. KLMG BCC, at km no 213/21 – 213/19, gate no. 7A, between 1900 and 1910 hours between Uruli and Loni stations, Loco Pilot Murlidhar Tiwari (LPG) and ALP Anand Kumar, both HQ at Daund, noticed that around 20-25 people sitting on track.

The crew whistled frequently and applied emergency brakes to stop the train well before the gate, some 100 m before the crowd. The visibility was about 650 m.

Information about the incident was given immediately to Uruli station on phone.

The crowd was cleared by the Crew. No casualty was reported and atleast 24 lives were saved owing to the caution and attention exhibited by the running crew.

On instructions of DRM/Pune Renu Sharma, crew was commended with Certificate and cash award immediately on arrival at Pune.

Officials from the Pune Division of the Central Railway said the loco-pilot used his “presence of mind” to avert a possible tragedy.

Officials said the goods train had started from Daund railway station and was headed towards Pune.

The incident took place the same day as the mishap in Aurangabad district, when 16 migrant labourers were killed on the railway tracks.

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Officials from the Pune Division of the Central Railway said the loco-pilot used his “presence of mind” to avert a possible tragedy.

Officials said the goods train had started from Daund railway station and was headed towards Pune. “When the train reached near Uruli railway station around 7 pm, the driver noticed some people with bags walking on the tracks. He applied emergency brakes and the train came to a halt about 100 metres from the group. He then informed the railway control room,” said an official.

A senior official said they have appealed to people not to use railway tracks. Though services of long-distance mail/express trains are on hold, goods and parcel specials along with Shramik Special trains are operating.

People are under the impression that trains are not in operation due to the ongoing lockdown. Many migrants have been found walking on railway tracks to reach their destinations. This is illegal and poses a big risk to their lives, the official added.

Meanwhile, the Railways has alerted station masters, gatemen, trackman and other field workers to keep a close watch on railway tracks for any trespassing.

Railway officials said people are venturing on to the tracks as police have set up check points on roads and are turning back people. “People are therefore using the tracks,” an official said.

Arun Tripathi, DSC/RPF/Pune Division, said they do not have much manpower to monitor every stretch of the track.

“They are taking help from everyone to stop people walking on the tracks, we have urged to everyone, be it station masters, gateman, trackman or even city police,” DSC Tripathi added.

TRAIN DETAILS: MNGP/DN GOIDS. Goods train derailment at KRCL
About 16:45 on Sunday, May 10.