Train accident averted as railway track tempered near Tanda
A major accident was averted last night near Tanda railway station when some unidentified persons blocked the track changing system near a signal pole on the railway line with iron plates and stones. Due to this, the signal and track got jammed. As the signal was not passed, Hemkunt Express, which was going from Jalandhar to Jammu, remained stuck for at least 20 minutes. It is suspected that unidentified persons could have blocked the track changing system with an intention of overturning the train. However, their attempt failed due to prudence of the Railway personnel on board the train and at the railway station.
Giving information to mediapersons in this regard, Keshav Singh, Station Master, Tanda, said Deputy Station Master Ashish Kumar was present on duty last night. He gave signal to the train going from Jalandhar to Jammu to stop at Tanda station around 1.38 am, but the cross signal on the railway track was not passed.
On seeing this, he sent pointsman Ram Kumar to check the railway track. When the pointsman went to the signal pole, he found that the track changing point near it was blocked with iron plates and stone pieces. At that time Hemkunt Express train was speeding towards Tanda. The pointsman informed Ashish Kumar about it. After this, Ashish Kumar stopped Hemkunt Express train 800 metres behind the track changing point and immediately informed the Railway Police about the mischievous act.
The pointsman repaired the track changing system with the help of officials of the Railways. After halt of around 20 minutes, the train was stopped at Tanda station and sent towards Jammu.
On receiving information about the incident, senior officials of the Railways and the Railway Police reached the spot and initiated probe into the matter. Officials suspect that perpetrators motive behind jamming the track changing system might be damaging the train, which failed. If a high-speed train passed through a jammed track changing point, it could have overturned, officials said.
