Kanchanjunga accident: Did an error in the signal system lead to the crash?

A goods train rammed the Kanchanjunga Express on Monday in West Bengal, derailing its three rear coaches.

The three rear compartments derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station, about 30 kilometres from North Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri station, according to PTI.

At least 15 passengers died and 60 others were injured.

The toll could rise, as multiple agencies of the state and Centre were simultaneously working on a war footing along with locals to rescue passengers who could still be trapped inside.

Let’s take a closer look.

Human error

According to an internal document accessed by News18, the automatic signalling system on the line was defective and the trains were given “paper line clearance” by the Rangapani station manager to cross at 8.20 am, and the goods train at 8.35 am.

“Automatic Signalling has failed and you are hereby authorised to pass all automatic signals between RNI (Ranipatra Railway Station) and CAT (Chattar Hat Junction),” the authority letter says.

Notably, the TA 912 is issued to a train driver when the automatic signalling system fails. The document authorises the driver to pass all red signals in the affected section, provided they adhere to stringent safety measures.

PTI sources also confirmed that the automatic signalling system between Ranipatra and Chattar Hat Junction had been malfunctioning since 5.50 am on the day of the crash.

“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 or caution signals. It is a matter of investigation why the station master did that. He might have been under the impression that the previous train cross the station section and entered into another section,” the railway source explained.

According to officials, there was no Kavach, the made-in-India automatic train protection technology, available on this specific line to help avert accidents if two trains are running on the same track.

Disregard for signal

In its first statement, the Railway Board claimed that the goods train driver had disregarded the signal.

“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 told reporters here soon after the accident that took place at 8.55 am.

The Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO) expressed doubts about the railways’ claim that the driver disregarded the red light and strongly disagreed with attributing the disaster to a deceased loco pilot while an investigation is still being conducted.

“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,” the organisation’s working president Sanjay Pandhi said, according to Indian Express.

“It is highly objectionable to announce that the loco pilot (of the goods train), who died in the accident, is responsible and also at a time when a CRS inquiry pending,” he said.

The accident

The goods train had rammed the Kanchanjunga Express from the rear, derailing three coaches.

The loco pilot of the goods train and the guard of Kanchanjunga Express were among those who died in the collision.

The injured were taken to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

Long-distance train services from north Bengal and the northeastern part of the country were affected due to the accident.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “railway accident in West Bengal is saddening. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones”.

“I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected. The Railways Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji is on the way to the site of the mishap as well,” he said.

The PM also announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured would be provided Rs 50,000.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on X, said: “Shocked to learn, just now, about a tragic train accident, in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. While details are awaited, Kanchenjunga Express has reportedly been hit by a goods train.

“DM, SP, doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, and medical assistance. Action on war-footing initiated,” she added.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who visited the accident site, told reporters that the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) had started a probe into the cause of the accident.

The incident saw the opposition mounting a scathing attack on Vaishnaw and seeking his resignation.

Congress’s Supriya Shrinate said the minister was “busy making reels” and had no time to spare to discuss the safety of people.

The accident triggered haunting memories of the Coromandel Express disaster near Bahanaga Bazar in Odisha a year ago, which killed nearly 300 people and injured over 1,000 others.

With inputs from agencies