Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident Highlights: Death toll reaches 10, six year old succumbs to injuries

Updated - July 17, 2024 07:17 am 

Published - July 16, 2024 01:48 pm 

By M.k.karikalsozhan Blog Reporter

A preliminary investigation report by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) into the tragic accident involving a goods train and the Kanchanjunga Express in Darjeeling district on June 17, 2024, has revealed significant operational lapses. The collision, which took place between Rangapani and Chattar Hat stations in the Katihar Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway, resulted in the loss of 10 lives and left 43 others injured.

In his interim report, CCRS Janak Kumar Garg categorised the accident under “error in train working.” His findings indicate that the incident stemmed from multiple failures in managing train operations, particularly under conditions of automatic signal failure.

One of the critical issues highlighted was the insufficient counselling provided to loco pilots and station masters regarding train operations in automatic signaling territories. This gap led to misinterpretations and misunderstandings of the relevant rules. Additionally, the investigation noted the absence of essential communication tools such as walkie-talkies for the loco pilot and train manager, who were forced to rely on mobile phones for communication. 

These findings underscore the need for immediate improvements in training and communication protocols within the railway operations to prevent such tragedies in the future.

In a significant development, the family of the late goods train loco pilot, Anil Kumar, has found solace and vindication after a chief commissioner of railway safety (CCRS) report absolved him of blame for the tragic Kanchanjunga Express accident on June 17, which resulted in the loss of 10 lives and injured 43 others.

"My husband was blamed for the accident within hours of the train collision. Still mourning his death, we were shocked to hear Anil being held responsible even before the inquiry had begun. But we are glad that Railways has conducted a proper inquiry and cleared him. His soul can now rest in peace," said Anil's widow, Roshni Kumar, in a statement to TOI.

Initially, within just two hours of the goods train colliding with the Kanchanjunga Express, Railway Board chairperson Jaya Verma Sinha and other officials hastily concluded that the "deceased pilot" and his injured assistant were at fault. However, the CCRS preliminary report has since revealed that the goods train loco pilot was allowed onto a section despite the presence of the Kanchanjunga Express and was issued an incorrect memo to pass all defective signals without any caution order.

The investigation discovered that the goods train was travelling at 78 kmph when it spotted the rear end of the Kanchanjunga Express and applied the emergency brake. Unfortunately, the train could only slow down to 40 kmph before crashing into the Kanchanjunga Express. The report highlighted that Anil had adjusted the throttle 10 times within five minutes, indicating his alertness and presence of mind.

Neighbours of Anil Kumar had always believed in his integrity and faultless career. "It was unfair to blame a dead man for the accident, especially since he was unable to defend himself. We are relieved that the truth has come out," said Kajal Das, a neighbour.

In light of the findings, railway officials have confirmed that Kumar's family has been compensated with Rs 25 lakh. Additionally, a pension order has been issued, and the gratuity will be paid soon. Since Kumar's sons are still minors, one of them will be offered a job with the Railways upon reaching adulthood, according to a senior NFR official.

This report not only clears Anil Kumar's name but also brings a measure of peace to his grieving family, who can now find some closure in knowing that his dedication and alertness in his final moments were recognised.

### Kanchanjunga Express Train Accident Live Updates: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Visits Injured

**Kanchanjunga Express, West Bengal Train Accident Highlights:**

- **Death Toll Increases**: The death toll reached 10 as a six-year-old succumbed to her injuries at North Bengal Medical College on Tuesday.

- **Resumption of Railway Services**: The downline near New Jalpaiguri station saw the resumption of railway services on Tuesday. The Avadh Assam Express was the first train to pass the accident site on the downline at 10.42 am.

- **Undamaged Coaches Reach Destination**: The undamaged coaches of the Kanchanjunga Express reached their destination on Tuesday morning, as reported by news agency PTI.

**Accident Details:**

- **Location**: The collision occurred near Rangapani station, approximately seven kilometres from New Jalpaiguri.

- **Derailment**: Two rear compartments of the Kanchanjunga Express derailed due to the collision.

**Government Response:**

- **Ex-Gratia Payment**: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the railway mishap. The injured will receive Rs. 50,000.

- **Condolences and Prayers**: President Droupadi Murmu extended her condolences and prayers to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift recovery.

**Video Screengrab**: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visiting the injured persons after taking stock of the situation at the Kanchanjunga Express train accident site.

Misunderstanding of Rules

One of the primary issues identified was a misunderstanding of rules among loco pilots and station masters regarding train operation in automatic signaling territory. The report highlighted inadequate counseling for these personnel, leading to misinterpretation and misapplication of rules. Notably, the traffic inspector and chief loco inspectors were uncertain about the proper procedures for issuing the T/A 912 authority letter, which permits trains to pass red signals. This uncertainty resulted in the improper issuance of the authority, creating a situation described as "an accident-in-waiting."

Signal Failures

Another major concern raised in the report was the frequent occurrence of signal failures in the automatic signaling territory. These failures not only undermined the purpose of the automatic signaling system but also posed severe safety risks. The response of higher railway officials to manage the signal failure on the night of the accident was deemed lacklustre, further exacerbating the situation.

Lack of Safety Equipment

The CCRS report also pointed out a critical lack of safety equipment. Essential items like walkie-talkie sets were not provided to the loco pilot and train manager, forcing them to rely on mobile phones for communication. This lack of proper communication tools significantly hampered their ability to respond effectively in an emergency .

Systemic Lapses and Recommendations

In conclusion, the CCRS report found that systemic lapses at multiple levels led to the tragic accident, which could have been prevented with appropriate safety protocols and equipment. The report calls for an urgent overhaul of train operations across Indian Railways to address these critical safety failures. Implementing the recommended changes is imperative to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure the safety and reliability of train operations.

### Provision of KAVACH

In the interest of improving safety and efficiency within the Northeast Frontier Railway, a joint procedural order should be issued by the Principal Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer, Principal Chief Operations Manager, and Principal Chief Electrical Engineer. This order should specifically address the handling of signal failures within automatic signalling territories. 

#### Key Recommendations:

1. **Integration with Automatic Signalling Routes**:

    - The introduction of new automatic signalling routes should be seamlessly integrated with the provision of KAVACH. This advanced system is designed to enhance the safety and reliability of train operations by providing a comprehensive signalling solution.

2. **Exploration of Advanced Technologies**:

    - The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and GPS-based technology should be explored to prevent collisions. These technologies can offer real-time data and predictive analytics to mitigate risks and improve overall safety.

#### Addressing Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) Incidents:

The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) has highlighted significant concerns regarding Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) incidents. From April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2024, there were 208 recorded SPAD cases across the railway network, with 12 resulting in collisions. This underscores the limitations of current preventive measures, which include:

- **Counselling of Loco Pilot/Assistant Loco Pilot**:

    - While counselling is an essential component of safety management, it must be complemented with more robust technological interventions.

- **Safety Drives**:

    - Periodic safety drives are necessary, but their effectiveness can be significantly enhanced with the integration of KAVACH and AI-based systems.

### Conclusion

The Northeast Frontier Railway must adopt a multi-faceted approach to enhance safety protocols. By issuing a joint procedural order and integrating KAVACH with new automatic signalling routes, alongside exploring AI and GPS-based technologies, the railway can significantly reduce the risk of collisions and improve overall operational safety. This strategic approach will address the limitations of current preventive measures and provide a more robust framework for railway safety.