New Delhi: Nothwithstanding the Railways
claim, the collision involving Gorakhdham Express, which was
apparently over speeding in dense fog, near Kanpur, has raised
fresh doubts about the safety measures in Indian Railways.
Gorakhdham Express, which rammed into the stationary
Prayagraj Express at Panki, 25 km from Kanpur, killing 10
passengers and injuring 43, was running at a speed much higher
than a train usually runs in foggy conditions, according to
railway sources.
In dense fog, trains are required to virtually crawl at
a speed of eight km per hour but the extent of damage to
Prayagraj Express by the impact of Gorakhdham Express
indicated the train was running at a much higher speed, said
the sources.
A senior railway Ministry official said it seems the
driver of Gorakhdham Express was overspeeding in the foggy
condition. However, the real reason will be known only after
the submission of the inquiry report.
Currently, the railways is depending on the age-old
detonator system to tackle fog. Crackers are strategically
placed on tracks to guide and alert loco drivers during the
dense fog condition.
Railways is planning to instal Train Protection Warning
System (TPWS), which regulates train speed, and Vigilance
Controlled Device (VCD), an onboard monitoring device meant to
alert loco drivers, in trains to prevent such accidents.
"The trial of TPWS is going on and it will be installed
in Delhi-Palwal-Mathura section soon," said the official
adding the VCD system will be fitted in all diesel and
electric locomotives.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 02, 2010, 20:58