Title - Rejoinder / Clarification on News Items on the Incident Involving Rajdhani Express Near Adoni on 24t

Rejoinder / Clarification on News Items on the Incident Involving Rajdhani Express Near Adoni on 24th August, 2012
~~~~~~~~~~
There have been news reports in a section of the Media that a major mishap ora possible collision between Rajdhani and Duronto Express trains was averted when the Rajdhani Express passed a red signal at Adoni Railway Station in the wee hours of 24th August, 2012.

These Reports were based o­n speculation and far from truth. To dispel any wrong notion conveyed to the Public in this regard, the following rejoinder / clarification detailing the facts of the matteris issued:-

1)Train No.12429 Bangalore - H.Nizamuddin Rajdhani Expresswas planned to be stopped at Adoni Station for the crossing ofTrain No.12214 Delhi-Yesvantpur Duronto Express in the early hours of 24th August, 2012.

As per rules, any train has to stop before the signal post which is showinga red aspect.However, in the instant case, the Loco Pilot of the Rajdhani Express passed a distance of approximately 60 meters past the signal post which was in red aspect before halting the train o­n track line no.3 at Adoni station at around 02 36 hrs o­n 24th August, 2012. The Driver has immediately backed the train to keep it before the signal post.

As a precautionary measure, the brake power of the Rajdhani Express train was also checked by the railway technicians and found to be in normal condition. No repairs were carried out o­n the train.The o­nboard crew were immediately withdrawn and a fresh set of Loco Pilot and Co-Loco Pilot were arranged and the train was despatched from Adoni at 05 15 hrs.

In the meanwhile, the Duronto Express was safely passed through o­n track line no. 2 at Adoni Station as planned at 02 42 hrs without any detention whatsoever.

2) It may be noted that in this situationthere was no scope whatsoever fora possible collision of the Rajdhani Express with the Duronto Express coming in theopposite direction as reported in a section ofthe Media.There was absolutely no chance for such a scenario as Rajdhani Express was received o­n track line no. 3 while the Duronto Express was smoothly passed through o­n track line No.2 at Adoni station.

Both these trains were dealt o­n two separateroutes which arenon conflicting -- Rajdhani Express o­n track no.3 which ismain line in down direction with its route set to a buffer dead end and Duronto o­n track no. 2 which is main line in up direction.

3) The Rajdhani Express Driver overshot the red signal by approximately two coaches length o­nly (not o­ne Kilometre as was allegedin some reports) which is well within the safety margin provided to avoid any mishap in such exceptional circumstances. Even in a hypothetical situation of the traintraveling more distance beyond thesignal, it would have come to a halt at the buffer dead endavailable o­n the same track line no. 3, which is normally provided as a systemic safety measure atStations.

4) As alleged insome of the news reports, the Duronto Express was not stoppedeither at Esivi Station or at Adoni staton due to the incident involving Rajdhani Express. The Duronto Express was passed through Adoni Station at 02 42 hrs without any hitch as planned originally.

5)Contrary to some news reports, since there was no scheduled stoppage for Rajdhani Express at Adoni, and the incident happenedat 02 36 hrs early in the morning, there was no scope for any passenger jumping out of thehalting Rajdhani Express which was stopped at Adoni for operational reasons o­nly.

However, the incident was viewed very seriously by the Railway Administration and both the Loco Pilot and Co-Pilot were taken off duty from Rajdhani Express and were subjected to necessary tests. Based o­n the preliminary investigation, both the Drivers and the Supervisor concerned were placed under suspension. A high level enquiry by a committee of senior officers was also ordered. The committee has already started its enquiryat Adoni / Guntakal.

In view of the above, it is requested that the correct version as explainedmay please be published so as to present the factual position tothe Public o­n the above incident.