Rayagada: Passengers travelling in Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur Hirakhand express had a narrow escape near Singapur road station in this district Tuesday.
An alert railway staff (a signal man)’s swift action and presence of mind is to be thanked for the train having been escaped from a near accident.
Sources said, the signal man noticed a crack on the rail near Singapur road station. The signalman, attending parcel unloading heard an unusual sound on the track and went to check and observed the fracture in the rail between 3rd and 4th bogie.
He immediately informed the station master on duty, who took the matter into his hands. The state master on the other hand immediately alerted other officials present at the station who attended and protected the rail on time.
As a result, Hirakhand express heading towards Jagdalpur was halted at Singapur road station at 6 am.
Senior officials reached the spot and got the crack repaired. The train was allowed to resume its journey towards its destination after a delay of one hour. The one hour delay this time was a life saviour.
“Train speed was barely at a speed of 5 kmph as the station was nearby. Every winter due to extreme cold these track failures happen, as the tracks contract in extreme cold temperatures. That is why patrolmen are on duty everywhere,” Chief Public Relations Officer of ECoR JP Mishra said.
When contacted, the signalman said, “During the arrival of the train, I sensed the track creating more sound than often. After inspection I spotted a crack on the rail track and immediately informed the Station Master not to clear the line. It was not my duty. I am happy that I averted a major train mishap.”
PNN
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