RailEnquiry

Haridwar:
A serious train accident was averted in Haridwar today when detached bogies of a goods train moved downhill and were intercepted and stopped on the track by CISF personnel.According to information, seven bogies of a BHEL-bound train loaded with coal accidentally moved backwards after these were detached from the engine at the BHEL Township railway track. These bogies moved downhill nearly 400 metres before CISF personnel stopped these by putting stones and barriers on the track near the Tibdi railway crossing. This track serves as a linking line for trains ferrying goods between the BHEL factory and the railway station. After the bogies were detached, the engine was taken to the Haridwar railway station.The incident created panic as a major portion of this 500-metre track falls on the outskirts of the forest area of Rajaji National Park. A buffalo was crushed under the wheels of the loaded bogies while nearby residents and children playing on the track ran for safety.

The bogies also broke two temporary barriers on the crossing falling on the BHEL track before halting near the Tibdi Colony railway crossing.

In-charge of the Haridwar railway station Gajendra Singh said due to a loose joint and breaking of couplings the seven bogies slided towards the city area. He added the Railways was looking into the incident.

BHEL spokesperson Rakesh Maniktala said the company was looking into the details of the mishap and was in talks with the Railways to ensure proper levelling of the track.

Local residents Bhoop Singh, Saurabh and Vikas told The Tribune that they were strolling near the railway line when they saw the bogies moving backwards.

“We raised the alarm and alerted children playing cricket nearby. Hearing our cries, CISF personnel rushed there and helped in stopping the bogies, which were without the engine. Had the incident occurred during early morning or night, it would have resulted in a serious mishap,” said Bhoop Singh, a Tibdi resident. “There have been no casualties and no one has been injured in the incident that occurred due to the high alignment of the track on the forest and hill terrain. We are looking into the matter and trying to find out how the couplings got loose,” said a railway official.