Bengal Train Collision Updates | PM Modi Condoles Death Of Lost Lives In West Bengal Train Mishap 

Kanchanjunga Accident: Document shows goods train driver not at fault, allowed to pass red signal New Delhi, June 17 (PTI) The goods train that hit the Kanchanjunga Express in the rear between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal on Monday morning, was allowed to cross all red signals, documents accessed by PTI shows. The document, a written authority called TA 912, contradicts the claim made by the Railway Board that the driver overshot the red signal and hit the passenger train. “The collision happened because a goods train disregarded the signal and hit the Kanchanjunga Express, which was on its way to Sealdah from Agartala,” Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha, said. However, TA 912, a copy of which is with PTI, was issued to the driver of the goods train by the station master of Ranipatra authorising him to cross all red signals. “The TA 912 is issued when there is no obstruction or any train on the line in the section and It authorises the driver to cross red signals. It is a matter of investigation why the station master did that. He might have been under the impression that the previous train crossed the station section and entered into another section,” a railway source said. According to the source, the automatic signalling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal was defective from 5.50 in the morning. "Train No 13174 (Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express) departed Rangapani station at 8:27 am and stopped between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat. The reason for the stopping of the train is unknown" the source told PTI. According to another railway official, when the automatic signalling system fails, the station master issues a written authority called TA 912, which authorises the driver to cross all red signals in the section because of the defect. "The station master of Ranipatra had issued TA 912 to Train No 1374 (Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express)," the source said. He added, "Around the same time, a goods train, GFCJ, departed Rangapani at 8:42 am and hit 13174 in the rear portion resulting from the derailment of the guard's coach, two parcel coaches and a general seating coach." The Railway Board in its initial statement said that the driver of the goods train violated the signal. It pegged the overall death toll at five. However, some local officials said it could be as high as 15. The loco pilot's body has questioned the Railways' statement that the driver violated the red signal. Sanjay Pandhi, the working president of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO), said, “Now it is clear from the document that the loco pilot of the goods train was authorised to cross red signals because they were defective. This is the failure of the railway administration and not the fault of the driver.” "It is highly objectionable to announce the dear loco pilot responsible when he is dead and CRS inquiry pending," he added.