Mathura Train Accident: Mildly-Drunk Staff Was Watching Mobile, Kept Bag On Throttle; 5 Suspended

According to the Crew Voice & Video Recording System (CVVRS), after the train arrived at the platform, a staffer named Sachin entered the DTC cab (engine) while watching his mobile phone. A breathalyzer test conducted on Sachin showed a reading of 47 mg/100 ml which is considered to be mildly drunk.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 28 September 2023 11:44 am

The railway staffer busy watching his mobile phone while putting his bag on the throttle

After an electric multiple unit (EMU) train broke the buffer dead end and entered platform number 2 at Mathura Junction Railway Station on Tuesday, a joint report on the incident revealed that the staffer was watching his mobile phone while handling the train and was mildly drunk, sources have said.

What all does the report say?

According to the Crew Voice & Video Recording System (CVVRS), after the train arrived at the platform, a staffer named Sachin entered the DTC cab (engine) while watching his mobile phone.

Mathura local train ramming into platform: As per report of the probe team, negligent act of helper Sachin engrossed in mobile caused the accident. He put his bag on the throttle which put the train in motion at the dead end forcing it to climb the platform. Sachin's breath… pic.twitter.com/E9nShbnvjN
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) September 28, 2023

The footage inside the cabin showed that while carelessly putting his bag on the throttle of the engine, the staffer again got busy on his mobile following which the throttle, due to the pressure of the bag, went into forward position and let the EMU move towards the platform.

"It broke the dead end of the platform and half of the coach climbed onto the elevated portion of platform number 2, leading to breakdown of OHE (overhead wire)."

The report also said that a breathalyzer test conducted on Sachin showed a reading of 47 mg/100 ml which is considered to be mildly drunk.

"He has been sent for a medical test in which his blood sample will be taken to find out the exact level of alcohol consumption," a source from the Agra Railway Division, said.

5 people suspended

Divisional Railway Manager Tej Prakash Agrawal has suspended five persons including Sachin in connection with the incident. Of the other four, Harbhajan Singh, Brajesh Kumar, and Kuljeet are technical staff and Govid Hari Sharma is a loco pilot.

"We have suspended five persons and further detailed investigation is on," Agarwal said.

In one of its observations, the joint report said that generally technicians receive the DTC cab (engine) key, however, in this case, the technician sent Sachin to receive the key.

Giving the brief history of the incident, the report said that the train arrived at Mathura station at 10.49 pm. After the loco pilot got relieved from his duty and came out of the cab, Sachin entered the cab to take the keys. Within a minute of his entering the cab, it started moving, broke the dead end and half of its portion climbed onto the platform.