Fault in tracks likely cause for derailment of North East Express train; engineering dept responsible, finds preliminary probe | Lucknow News

LUCKNOW: Hours after the tragic incident in which four passengers were killed and over 60 others sustained injuries when 23 LHB coaches of the NorthEast Express derailed and three capsized at Ragunathpur railway station, an initial probe conducted by a seven-member team has determined that the derailment resulted from a track fault for which the engineering department is responsible.
The 15-page initial joint report obtained by TOI revealed that the train was traveling at 112 kmph (the speedometer remained stuck at this reading after the derailment), and Ragunathpur railway station had maintained a green signal for the down main line toward Howrah side.

The report stated, “The loco pilot felt heavy vibration at level crossing (LC) gate number 59B (before the Ragunathpur railway station), and suddenly pressure in the engine dropped. A point of drop (POD) mark was found at kilometer number (KM No.) 629/10-8, and from there up to KM No. 628/26 (towards the railway station), the rail track was damaged.”

POD refers to the moment when the wheel initially leaves the rail track.

The physical findings of the track’s condition by the team were substantiated by the written statement of the loco-pilot (LP) Vipin Kumar Sinha, who stated, “We felt immense vibration in the loco-engine as soon as we crossed the railway crossing located before Ragunathpur railway station. We felt a heavy jerk, and the engine’s brake pipe pressure suddenly dropped. Before I and assistant loco-pilot (ALP) Rajesh Kumar could understand anything, the train derailed.”

The two loco-pilots had taken charge of the WAP-7 locomotive engine of the NorthEast Express train at 8.27pm at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Following the derailment, ALP Rajesh Kumar was hospitalized due to the severity of his injuries, while LP Vipin Kumar Sinha sustained minor injuries.
The probe team also noted that the gateman of level crossing (LC), Nand Kishore Singh, observed sparks and heard a loud noise after nearly ten coaches of the train had crossed the LC.
The written statement of the on-duty station master, Nityanand Kumar, who came out from his panel room to “exchange all right signal” with the speeding train, stated, “As soon as the express train crossed LC gate number 59B, he observed a vigorous flame.”
The report concluded, “Derailment was caused by a fault in the track, and the engineering department is responsible.”