Patiala, January 12
The negligence on the part of railway officials at Dhablan railway station almost cost passengers of the 4888 Jodhpur-Kalka/Hardwar Express their lives while another official’s alertness helped avert a major disaster early today. The passengers had a providential escape when the train hit a goods train from the rear near Dhablan, about 12 km from here. Jaswant Singh, driver of the express train, sustained minor injuries along with a few passengers while others escaped unhurt.

The Railways swung into action quickly, suspending six employees, including the Assistant Station Master and two pointsmen of Dhablan station.

The driver, assistant driver and the guard of the goods train have also been suspended. An inquiry has been ordered and its findings will be known by tomorrow.

The Jodhpur-Kalka/Hardwar Express crashed into the goods train which was partially straddling the main track. The accident occurred around 3.30 a.m. as the express train was on the way to Kalka from Jodhpur. The Assistant Mechanical Engineer, Mr Rakesh Saini, proved to be the saviour of the unsuspecting passengers. But for his quick reaction many people could have lost their lives. He was on a routine night inspection at the time and he sighted the last few of the goods train blocking the main track. He raised an alarm and applied the emergency brakes, saving precious lives. Most passengers were sleeping at the time of the accident.

According to information given by the Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala, Mr Anoop Gupta, the driver of the goods train stopped before the nominated place while moving on to the other line. The guard also did not sign the register he was supposed to, which would had signalled the arrival of the train. Thus, the goods train was within the fouling mark. The Jodhpur Express was given a signal to proceed without the regulation checks.

Railway officials were quick to admit that the accident was due to negligence of the Dhablan station staff. “The Jodhpur Express was given a signal to run on the track without ensuring that it was clear. It is clearly a case of negligence as the end part of the goods train was protruding onto the main track after it had moved to another track,” acknowledged Mr Rakesh Tandon, Divisional Area Manager, Ambala, who had reached the site along with other officials.

The last four bogies of the goods train, which was carrying coal, were damaged while the engine and one coach of the express train got derailed.

Residents of Dhablan village responded with alacrity and typical Punjabi warmth. The impact woke up the villagers, who quickly swung into action. Within no time they were at the site. Sarpanch Tarsem Singh got an announcement made on the gurdwara speaker asking people to make arrangements for the help. Shaken passengers were comforted, provided tea and helped to keep warm.

“Though not rescue efforts were required but we ensured that passengers were looked after. We served them langar as it was extremely cold,” said Sukhchain Singh and Sanjay Kumar, two young residents of the village among the first few to reach the site. Villagers also rushed in for help from nearby villages of Jahalan, Rakhra, Kheri Manayan and Kheri Mussalmanan.