The names of the crew of Ratnachal Express (No. 12717) have been recommended for the South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager Awards in recognition of their quick response to the attack on the superfast train at Tuni on January 31.
SCR officials acknowledged the alertness and bravery they have displayed during the emergency.
Loco pilot M. Suri Babu and assistant loco pilot B. Suresh Babu have come in for special praise for bringing the train to a halt and saving numerous lives by getting the power supply to overhead traction snapped in time.
Four travelling ticket inspectors — M.V. Siva Prasad, R. Appa Rao, G.M. Basha and V.V.N. Prasad — were appreciated for helping hundreds of passengers in reaching safety just before the train was torched by the irate mob.
Top officials of the SCR inspected the spot where the train was burnt on February 1 and inquired with the crew members what led to the violence. A decision has since been taken to nominate the crew for the GM awards to be presented on a day that is not yet fixed.
It may be noted that Ratnachal Express are hauled by high-speed locomotives manufactured by Chittaranjan Locomotives and Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) Group at huge costs.
