Hours after two trains derailed in Delhi and Uttar Pardesh on Thursday, a goods train derailed near Kasara Ghat on Central Railway. Earlier in the day, an accident was averted by Western Railway staff who spotted a rail fracture between Virar and Vaitarna stations. Two wheels of a departmental material wagon also derailed in Dahanu yard at 6.40 p.m on Thursday.
Six wagons of a goods train derailed between Monkey Hill and Khandala in the Kalyan-Lonavala section at 3.55 p.m. Many trains had to be cancelled or halted at Karjat station following the derailment.
A Central Railway official said, “A goods train derailed near Khandala station on km no 123. Trains towards Pune have been halted till restoration work is completed.”
Chennai Express, Konark Express, Deccan Express and Singhad Express had to halt at Karjat station. This year has witnessed the highest number of train derailments. In the last eight and half months itself, there have been 14 derailments in the country.
Alert railway staff
Western Railway officials said the accident was averted when Anil Saroj, a lineman, and Rajkumar Pandey, a khalasi, who were on patrolling the tracks, spotted the rail fracture.
An official said, “At around 8.45 a.m., while patrolling the Over Head Equipment between section km 60/1 to km 63/1, Mr. Saroj noticed a rail fracture at km 61/1 on up through line. Mr. Saroj immediately informed senior railway officials.”
Mukul Jain, Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway, said, “There was a problem in the signalling system and we have checked the line with a minor crack in the track. The track was last checked on August 8 and was found to be in order. We have sent the track for testing.” The line was restored fully at 12 p.m. Train services were allowed on the track at a restricted speed of 30 kmph.
The derailment of the departmental material wagon’s wheels did not affect main lines.
