RailEnquiry

MYSORE: The officials at the parcel wing of South Western Railway (SWR, Mysore division) are continuing to book two-wheelers for transportation, in spite of a "ban" by SWR.The officials at the parcel wing say that they are yet to receive an official notification in this regard.Following the recent Hampi Express accident, which claimed 25 lives, SWR decided to stop transporting two-wheelers in trains. The officers probing how one of the coaches caught fire had conferred that leakage of petrol from one of the motorbikes being transported had caused the fire."We have not yet received any instruction in this regard. So daily we are booking nearly 20-25 two-wheelers in Mysore division. Once we receive the circular or instruction against transporting the vehicles, we will stop bookings," said Anup Dayanand Sadhu, senior divisional commercial manager (Mysore division). "Our staff here are strict and follow the stipulated rules. After the Hampi Express tragedy, our staff have become more careful. Before booking the vehicles, our officers ensure that fuel tanks are completely dry," said Anup, adding that he himself monitors the process.According to Harish, who works for Infosys, the railway authorities should have taken the officers at the parcel division to task for their lapses, instead of banning transportation of two-wheelers in trains.Another customer Saritha said: "Fuel tanks of vehicles have to be emptied before being accepted to transport through trains. It seems this process has been violated by the booking staff. Instead of punishing them, the railways is inconveniencing the customers."