Kochi: A major mishap was averted at the Ernakulam main railway station on Monday when a pilotless engine rolled back from the yard line towards the main operation track but was halted just metres away from the busy line after hitting the ‘Trap Point,’ a safety device fitted on tracks for diversion.
The incident happened at 2 p.m. when the 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 hit the device before de-railing. The incident is a major security breach as the Happa-Tirunelveli Suferfast Express was scheduled to pass through the mainline.
“An inquiry has been ordered covering various factors like whether there was any lapse from the part of the loco-pilot and assistant loco-pilot. Factors like whether it was stationed in brake mode or skid was placed would be probed in detail. Action will be taken if anyone is found guilty,” said Mr P.L. Ashok Kumar, Senior Divisional Operations Manager, Thiruvananthapuram Division.
