Guwahati: A system failure inside the locomotive of the Kolkata-Sairang Express was allegedly responsible for the train’s derailment near Guwahati in Assam on Wednesday morning.
A purported video from the cabin of the locomotive, circulating on social media, shows the loco pilot saying that the emergency brake is not functioning despite a red signal.
In the 45-second video, the loco pilot is shown attempting to operate different controls to bring the train under control. However, his efforts appear unsuccessful as the train continues moving towards the barricades before a loud impact is heard.
A person inside the locomotive can be heard saying: “BP pressure kam nahi ho raha (The Brake Pipe pressure is not reducing).” He then reports: “Signal red hai… emergency laga hua hai, lekin kaam nahi kar raha hai. Kuch bhi kaam nahi kar raha hai,” indicating that the emergency brake was not responding despite being applied.
The video captures the locomotive approaching a hurdle before crashing into it. A glass bottle kept on the cabin counter is also seen falling following the impact, as reported by Republic TV.
Questions are now being raised about a possible braking malfunction, although the exact cause of the derailment has not yet been officially established.
The accident occurred around 6.54 am on Wednesday, November 11, when the train was travelling from Kolkata towards Sairang in Mizoram, derailed near Digaru railway station in Assam’s Kamrup (Metropolitan) district.
The locomotive and five coaches of the train went off the tracks while it was being received at Digaru station to give precedence to another train.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has said that the locomotive pilot could not control the train’s speed during the process, resulting in the derailment.
All passengers were safe and no injuries had been reported, NFR chief public relations officer K K Sharma said.
Relief and rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident, while a recovery train was rushed to the location to assist with the operations and clear the tracks.
Passengers were subsequently transported to their destinations through an alternative train. The NFR general manager and other senior railway officials also proceeded to the accident site to oversee the situation and restoration work.
Passengers were asleep around 5 am, according to the pantry car manager. The journey had remained normal till the train reached Guwahati. After halting there, the train resumed its journey towards Mizoram.
The train slowed down slightly as it approached Digaru station, the pantry manager said. However, after crossing the platform, passengers heard an unusual sound and subsequently felt the engine derail.
He further claimed that the train continued moving for approximately one kilometre in its derailed condition before finally coming to a halt after around 10 minutes.
Passengers were thrown around inside the coaches, with some falling from their seats multiple times, he said. The manager described how passengers were unable to open the gates, leaving them anxious as the train continued moving.
The locomotive and power car were reportedly left completely out of order following the incident.
Railway operations in the region were disrupted due to the derailment, with multiple trains being regulated following the incident.