Experts say disregard for rules to maintain train punctuality puts lives in jeopardy

A collision averted in UP recently shows safety norms have been taken for granted

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A recent incident in which a collision was averted between a passenger train and a freight train, both moving on the same track towards each other near the Khurja City station in Uttar Pradesh, has exposed a complete disregard for basic safety norms by railway staff in an attempt to maintain train punctuality, according to experts.

The incident occurred on December 29, 2025, and on January 2, the railway ministry transferred the divisional railway manager of the Moradabad division, under which the Khurja City station falls, while the staff involved in the incident were sent for training after a brief period of suspension.

Experts said the incident highlighted a disregard for rules, poor record-keeping and inadequate shift handover procedures between station masters, leading to a critically-unsafe situation for train operations. The incident took place around 8 pm on December 29, when Rinku Tomar, the on-duty station master at Khurja City, allowed a freight train coming from Khurja Junction to enter his section.