Bhubaneswar: A train mishap was reportedly averted near Nilgiri Road railway station at Barun Singh Chhak in Odisha’s Balasore on Tuesday, owing to the presence of mind of the loco driver.

According to sources, the alert loco pilot applied the brake after noticing an error at the trailing point of the track once the MEMU train entered the loop line where some maintenance work was underway. He then reversed the train taking it back to the main track, temporarily disrupting the movement of other trains along the route.

“The train was moving at a slow speed and stopped at a distance from the track which had some issues. It had to be reversed for some 200 to 300 metres,” said a passenger.

Loco pilot of the Memu train Siddhi Nath later told the media that there was no chance of any derailment as the train was moving at a speed of 7 to 8 kmph but the tracks could have been damaged. “The point could have bust affecting train movement,” he said while hinting at a signalling error.

When the train reached Balasore, passengers heaved a sigh of relief and felicitated the loco pilot with flower bouquets.

The train was en route to Balasore from Bhadrak. The Railways is yet to issue a statement on it.

The incident created panic among passengers as the district had witnessed one of the worst train accident in more than two decades last month, which claimed 293 lives.