Alert driver averts train mishap near Cuttack

The alertness of the driver of a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train on Monday averted a major mishap near the Balikuda railway station in Cuttack and saved the lives of many passengers.

The driver spotted a bend in the tracks and immediately applied brakes to stop the train. Later, it was ascertained that a train with heavy load had passed on the route which led to a bend in the track.

Meanwhile, Khurda Road DRM Brajmohan Agarwal has ordered a probe by a four-member team to ascertain the circumstances that led to the problem. The team would submit its report within 48 hours, sources said.

After about 40 minutes, the MEMU train was allowed to pass the site at slow speed. According to East Coast Railway (ECoR) sources, work for construction of a foot over-bridge was underway at Gopalpur’s Balikuda. A road crane was used for this purpose and it was found that the crane had damaged a few sleepers and some rails on the track. Following this, a red flag was put at the site immediately, the sources added.