A major accident was averted on Thursday when a train carrying containers and vehicles for the Army damaged a portion of platform number 5, setting off panic waves among passengers standing there. Nonetheless, no injuries were reported.
The incident, which happened around 9.30 am in the morning, shocked railway authorities who sought to downplay the incident based on the level of damage done to the platform shade. Nonetheless, Ranchi railway division has initiated an inquiry into the incident and examining all possible angles to unearth the reasons for the accident.
“We have begun inquiry into the incident and trying to explore reasons leading to the accident,” Divisional railway manager (DRM), Ranchi Railway Division, G Mallya. Although, the DRM ruled out any fault in the designs of the platform he did not rule out human error. Simultaneously, Mallya also suggested that the train should not have been taken on the platform where the accident happened.
“There is nothing wrong with the platform however it could be a case of misjudgment on the part of the official concerned. May be the train should have been taken on another track,” conceded Mallya. Shedding light on another possible reason for the fiasco Mallya said that the container would have also shifted during the course of its journey. “It happens that sometimes containers shift from their usual positions,” added Mallya.
The accident caused minor damages to the army vehicles. Earlier, passengers standing on the platform were taken by surprise by the accident and escaped the accident narrowly. Although, no one was injured in the accident passengers heaved sigh of relief when the officials rushed to the spot.
“I had not expected this but Railway officials swung into action very quickly and began their work,” said a passenger.