KATHUA: The station master of Kathua, from where a driverless goods train rolled down to Ucchi Bassi in Punjab last month at a speed of 70 to 75 kmph, was removed from service by the Northern Railways. The notice of “removal from service” cites “negligence” as the cause, stating that it may have led to a “major incident” that claimed lives. According to reports dated February 29, the train’s loco-pilot has already been withdrawn from service on a similar basis. seen the notices that the concerned Firozpur division disciplinary authorities had served to the station master and the loco-pilot. They imply that on February 25, the day of the incident, both were cut off from services.It was unknown what steps were taken against other railway officials who were engaged in the incident. The notice stated that Triveni Lal Gupta, the station master, “failed to fulfil his meant duties” and “observe saved practises” in addition to the loco-pilot’s failure to balance the train by applying all of the engine’s and waggons’ brakes. Railway sources state that the station master is expected to double-check everything and chain the engine’s wheels to the rail to prevent it from sliding after a loco-pilot stabilises an engine to report for duty. Within 45 days of receiving a copy of the order, the loco-pilot and the station master are both required to file an appeal with the appellate authority against the punitive action.It was previously stated in a joint incident report that the train was a divisional material train (DMT), which transports railway supplies for building and other uses. It had 53 waggons at the Kathua junction and no brake van, or guard’s coach. According to the report, around 5:20 am, the station master was notified by the control room to instruct the driver to board the train to Jammu. However, the driver declined, citing the lack of a guard’s coach or guards on the train. The report stated that the driver was instructed by the control room to stop the train, hand over his duties, and board a train to Jammu.
