For the second consecutive day yet another major train accident was averted as the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express was brought to a screeching halt after hitting an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks. In what appears to be a sabotage, a bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also recovered from the site. Police said the incident occurred around 8.20 pm on Sunday when the train was running at a high speed.
An FIR has been registered in the matter and multiple teams have been formed to probe the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Rajesh Kumar Singh said the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has launched an investigation separately.
“An attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express by placing the LPG cylinder on the tracks. Soon after receiving information about the incident around 8.20 pm on Sunday, senior officials rushed to the site and launched an investigation,” police said.
A forensics team was also called in and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is also investigating the matter, they said.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra said the loco pilot saw that the LPG cylinder was placed on the tracks and applied emergency brakes. However, before it came to a halt, the train hit the cylinder, throwing it away from the tracks, Chandra said, adding the loco pilot informed the guard and the gateman about it.
The train remained at the incident site for about 20 minutes and was again stopped at the Bilhaur station for a check, the ACP said. The damaged cylinder has been recovered. A bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also recovered from the spot, Chandra said.
On Sunday coupling of the Magadh Express from New Delhi to Islampur broke, splitting the train into two between Turiganj and Raghunathpur railway stations in Bihar's Buxar district near Patna. However, no one was injured in the incident. An inquiry has been ordered to probe the exact cause of the incident.
Railways is also probing several incidents of surfacing of big boulders placed on the railway tracks in last few months resulting many derailments in recent times.
