The recent train accident in Balasore, Odisha, which claimed the lives of 275 people, has prompted railway officials to shed light on the incident. Here's a breakdown of what key officials from the Railway Board have explained about the accident:
The Coromandel Express was not over-speeding:
Railway authorities have confirmed that the Coromandel Express was not over-speeding when it collided with a goods train. The driver had received a green signal, indicating a clear path ahead with a permitted maximum speed of 130 kmph, and was running the train at 128 kmph.
Signalling issues and the interlocking system:
Preliminary findings suggest that there was a signalling issue that contributed to the accident. The interlocking system, which connects points, traction units, and signals, ensures safe train movement. However, there may have been a problem with the functioning of this system.
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Role of point machine and signal interlocking:
When a train needs to move to a loop line, the point machine must be operated. The signal interlocking system indicates whether the line ahead is occupied or not. If the point is set straight and the track ahead is clear, the signal shows green. If the point directs the train towards the loop line and the track is clear, the signal shows yellow.
Identified root causes:
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw identified issues with the point machine and the electronic interlocking system as the root causes of the accident. The preliminary report states that the Coromandel Express entered the loop line where a stationary iron ore-laden goods train was parked.
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Fail-safe interlocking system:
The interlocking system is designed to be fail-safe, ensuring the safe movement of trains. It is error-proof and tamper-proof, and even in case of failure, all signals turn red, halting train operations.
(With PTI Inputs)
