A major safety investigation is underway within the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone after an empty Vande Bharat train traveled 463 kilometers with its braking system allegedly non-functional. The incident occurred on October 24 while the chair car rake was being transported from Hatia in Jharkhand to Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh using a freight locomotive.
According to reports, the train’s braking system was not properly integrated with the hauling locomotive. Loco pilots operating the train reported immediate issues with the braking performance after departing from Hatia. Despite submitting a written complaint to railway officials upon reaching Ranchi, the train was permitted to continue its journey. A second loco pilot, who took over the operation at Muri station, also alerted controllers that the brakes could not be applied by dropping the brake pipe pressure.
The rake was eventually inspected upon reaching Deen Dayal Upadhyaya station in the Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh. Officials discovered that the braking systems of all individual coaches had been isolated, rendering them ineffective for the duration of the trip. The railway zone has described the operation of a train without adequate brake power as a serious safety concern that could have resulted in a major accident.
In an order dated November 7, the SER directed the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Ranchi to conduct a probe into the incident. The preliminary investigation points toward negligence by coach and wagon maintenance staff, traction and section controllers, and the train crew. Officials noted that maintenance staff failed to physically verify the brake status before departure, while the train crew appeared unfamiliar with the specific braking systems of the Vande Bharat rake.
Key facts
- The train traveled 463 km from Hatia, Jharkhand, to Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, on October 24.
- A freight locomotive was used to haul the empty Vande Bharat chair car rake.
- Inspectors at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya station found that the brakes on all coaches were isolated.
- Loco pilots filed multiple reports regarding poor brake performance at Hatia and Muri stations.
- The South Eastern Railway ordered a formal investigation into the lapses on November 7.
Why it matters
Railway authorities have emphasized that operating a train without proper braking capability poses a severe threat to railway infrastructure and the safety of personnel. The incident has drawn heightened scrutiny regarding operational negligence, specifically as it occurred shortly before the derailment of the Kolkata-Sairang Express in Assam on November 11.
Source: Times of India, Hindustan Times
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