Kochi: The local police are probing whether any outside parties have a role in the June 27 mishap at South railway station where a pilotless engine rolled back from the yard line towards the main operation track. A team from the Central Police Station visited the spot and took statements of the railway staff among others after the Ernakulam Area Manager lodged a complaint. Apart from this, an internal probe into the incident is on.
“We lodged a complaint after it was found that the skid (used to stop engines from rolling down) was removed and that led to the mishap as per the primary probe. We suspect the role of miscreants behind it. The track is uneven and hence it is mandatory to place the skids,” said Dr Rajesh Chandran, Ernakulam area manager.
On June 27, an electric engine stationed at ‘Line -8’ at the Ernakulam South station began to roll backwards and moved towards the mainline leading to the North station. However, it was halted just metres away from the busy line after hitting the ‘Trap Point’, a safety device fitted on the tracks for diversion.
Meanwhile, the internal inquiry being conducted by the railways into the incident will be completed in two days. “An inquiry has been ordered covering various factors like whether there is any lapse by the loco-pilot and Assistant loco-pilot. Factors like whether it was stationed in brake mode or skid was placed will be probed in detail. Action will be taken against those found guilty,” said P.L. Ashok Kumar, senior divisional operations manager, Thiruvananthapuram Division.
