The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Report on train collision submitted

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Friday, May 15, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Report on train collision submitted

Special Correspondent

“EMU’s speed was 90 kmph at that time”

The rake was brought to Moore Market Complex at 4.32 am
As the signals were not cleared, he entered the wrong line

CHENNAI: The Commissioner of Railway Safety, who enquired into the head-on collision between the Tiruvallur-bound EMU and an empty tanker goods train at Vysarpadi Jiva on April 29, has submitted its provisional findings to the Centre. The findings are under the consideration of the Government.

According to the preliminary report of the Commissioner K.J.S.Naidu, the unidentified person, who hijacked the Chennai–Tiruvallur EMU local on April 29, piloted the motor car till it collided with the goods train at the Vysarpadi Jeeva station, resulting in the death of 4 persons and injuries to 16 persons.

The report said the rake was brought to Moore Market Complex at 4.32 am. It was scheduled to depart at 5.15 am. Before the scheduled driver and guard reached their respective cabs, the unknown person entered the cab. No railway employee saw the person when he entered the cab. As all the keys were available with him, the hijacker took the rake at 4.53 am.

As the signals were not cleared, he entered the wrong line. He accelerated and went ahead on the wrong line. The EMU passed the Basin Bridge station at almost a speed of 85-90 kmph and collided against the goods train at the Vyasarpadi Jiva Station, which was waiting there for signal.

At the time of collision, the speed of the hijacked EMU was around 90 kmph. Cabin station master of the Moore Market Complex saw the rake passing only after the passage of the motor cab and had not seen who was inside. Platform and cabin station masters of Basin Bridge had deposed before the Commission that there was no cabin light or headlight in the rake, which went at a very high speed.

They also did not see who was inside the cab. Hence, the identity of the person who had hijacked the EMU is yet to be established.

But the speedometer recorder and current drawn record indicated that the unknown person was available till the last minute and was managing the motor cab till it collided with the goods train.

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