Out of The Loop

Why did three trains collide in Balasore? Were the railway systems in place and working? Or was there any meddling at the signalling and interlocking points?

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THE best way to dispel rumours of sabo­ tage in the horrifying train accident in Balasore, Odisha—involving two passenger trains and one goods train on June 2—is to carefully study the real cause of the mishap that claimed the lives of about 290 innocent persons. According to the preliminary joint inspection report of the Indian Railways: “Signal was given and taken off for the up main line for train number 12941 (Coromandel Express), but the train entered into the loop line and derailed.” It dashed into the stationary goods train. Meanwhile, train number 12864 (Bengaluru­-Howrah Superfast Express) passed through the down main line and two of its coaches “derailed and capsized”. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the mistake may have taken place in point machines and electronic interlocking.

Railway signalling systems work on a fail­safe design. If any failure occurs, it will automatically cause the train to stop. Then the entire system is checked manually by someone responsible and as per railway manuals, that person has to sign a paper to allow the train to start again. One of the key components of the signalling system is interlocking, which means that if a signal is given for a particular route then that route cannot remain occupied.