Title - Western Rly makes changes to avoid Andheri-like accident

Modifications have been made to prevent freak accidents like the one at Andheri, in which two EMU rakes collided head-on

In order to eliminate even ‘a one in a million’ possibility of two trains running in the opposite directions colliding into each other at crossovers points, the Western Railway (WR) administration is undertaking modifications in its rules and in its signaling and telecommunication systems.

The changes have been made at five locations on the suburban section which have a similar design pattern to the accident spot at Andheri. With the approval of the Commissioner of Railway Safety, similar changes will be made at other such locations, including Andheri.

Late night on June 16, 1022-Up slow local from Borivli collided with Down fast local to Virar near a crossover point at Andheri station. The ensuing preliminary report into the incident, brought to light an ‘unsafe window’ in the subsidiary rules of WR.

Speaking on the findings of the report, Mahesh Kumar, General Manager said, “There is no unsafe window as pointed out in the preliminary report. However, there certain precautions we are taking to ensure that this error doesn’t take place again. Apart from technical modifications on the railway tracks we have also enhanced certain communication rules to ensure that there is absolute clarity regarding the movement of trains.”

In the modification, the digital axle counters, which assist in train operations during monsoons, have been additional placed near the foot of signals which are at a distance of maximum of 13 metres from the track circuit which determines the aspect of the signal.

An aspect or colour of the signal determines the movement of trains.

A digital axle counter counts the number of axle entering and leaving a section of track to determine the aspect of the signal. Track circuiting and axle counters are expected to double check the position of trains under such circumstances.

Apart from the placement of axle counters, WR has also mandated that in situations where the signals have to be changed to give passage to train B while train A is waiting at a signal near a cross over, the officials in charge at the control room are required to call the motorman of train A to determine his exact location and only then determine the aspect of the signal. Earlier, this was done only on the basis of automatic signaling.