Day after Utkal derailment, another train accident averted near Tundla in UP

Arvind Chauhan| TNN | Updated: Aug 20, 2017, 

HIGHLIGHTS

The incident took place near Chamrola station, 180 km away from Delhi on Sunday morning at around 7:35 am.

An axle seize caused a pair of wheels to lock

The rake was declared unfit for use after inspection

The incident took place near Chamrola station 180 km away from Delhi after which passengers quickly evacuated the train.

AGRA: A major train accident was averted on Kanpur-New Delhi up track, due to passengers' alertness after they spotted smoke coming out from motor coach of Tundla-Delhi MEMU (64583), as its wheels got locked due to faulty axle.

The incident took place near Chamrola station, 180 km away from Delhi on Sunday morning at around 7:35 am.

Surendar, an employee of Indian Postal Service, who was traveling on the train, said, "The train wheel was making heavy screeching sound since it departed from Tundla junction, which is the originating station of MEMU."

"We got scared when we spotted smoke coming out from motor coach of the train and alerted the railway staff. As soon the train made a halt at Chamrola, we evacuated it," said Sanjay Shukla, who was traveling to Aligarh along with family.

The passengers of the train remained at station for five hours, as no arrangements were made by the railways to provide another train, so that they could reach their respective destinations.

According to railway officials, it was a major technical glitch which could have resulted in an accident, as the train speed between Barhan Junction and Chamrola was around 50 km/hr.

Speaking to TOI, Shivam Sharma, divisional traffic manager at Tundla Junction said, "It was our gateman who spotted the smoke coming out of the train, after which emergency halt was made at Chamrola. During the probe, it was found, that the train axle was seized and power cord of one of the three motor coach was damaged. The seized axle caused smoke and heavy screeching sound. After inspection, the loco inspector has declared the train unfit to use."

"A team of engineers for Ghaziabad has arrived at spot, and if they failed to repair it, then the train will be towed to shed," he added.

According to railways, no passenger was injured in the incident. After the incident, the down line operation of Delhi- Kanpur route was stopped for few minutes, to bring all passengers safely at Chamrola station platform.

On the condition of anonymity, a loco pilot told TOI, "This is second case of wheels lock of MEMU train in a week. Earlier, a Bandikui- Bateshwar MEMU axle were seized. Axle seize happens when the faulty ball bearing cracks, which further cause wheel lock."