Disaster averted as alert loco pilot applies brakes after tree branches fall on railway track in Thane

Disaster was averted with the presence of mind shown by a loco pilot and RPF personnel on Monday night between Thane and Kalyan railway station after branches of a tree fell from Parsik tunnel (outside railway premises) on the fifth railway line in Thane; light from the engine helped the loco pilot to identify the obstacle and apply emergency brakes

The presence of mind of a loco pilot and RPF personnel on Monday night between Thane and Kalyan railway station averted a mishap after branches of a tree fell from Parsik tunnel (outside railway premises) on the fifth railway line in Thane.

The spot where the tree branches feel from Parsik tunnel on Monday night. Disaster was averted as alert loco pilot applied brakes. (PRAFUL GANGURDE/HT PHOTO)

It was the light from the engine that helped the loco pilot to identify the obstacle and apply emergency brakes at the right time. But for his presence of mind, the lives of passengers aboard the express train could have been in danger.

The incident occurred at around 8.50pm when the Bhagalpur-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus express train was passing through the Parsik tunnel.

Several branches of a Gulmohar tree fell on the tracks. A few minutes later, the express train arrived and the loco pilot, Murlidhar Sharma, noticed the tree only when the train was quite close to the spot. On applying emergency brakes, he averted a major incident.

At the same time, an alert resident, Hamid Sheikh, informed Thane RPF, Pratap Bhanu Singh, about the tree fall. Singh alerted the control room and Thane station master by 8.50pm. They immediately ensured to disconnect the overhead wires.

“I also informed our RPF personnel who was on duty at Parsik tunnel. He was on the other side of the tunnel but rushed towards the spot immediately to find the express train coming to a halt just before the spot where the tree fell,” said Singh, the RPF personnel from Thane.

The RPF personnel saw Sharma apply emergency brakes in time to avert a major mishap. “This is part of our protocol. In case of such incidents, we have to inform the control room and take the required precautionary measures. I have just done my duty,” said Singh.

Meanwhile, despite repeated efforts, Sharma was unavailable for calls.

Shivaji Sutar, chief PRO, Central Railway, said, “The tree fall occurred on the Diva end of Parsik tunnel. The overhead electric supply was switched off for the concerned section with the help of alert RPF. Meanwhile, loco pilot also applied emergency brakes and stopped the train just before the obstruction. Later on, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and Railway staff removed the tree branches from the track and the train resumed its journey at 9.44pm. None was injured nor was there any damage to the locomotive.”

Along with railway officials, TMC’s garden department, fire brigade and Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) officers were at the spot on Monday evening.

“Within an hour, the tree was removed from the dangerous spot and kept such that it doesn’t pose any danger for anyone,” said Avinash Sawant, chief, RDMC.

The Parsik tunnel is used by the local and express trains on the fast track between CST and Kalyan on CR’s main line.

Meanwhile, the Railway officials along with the TMC conducted a joint inspection of the area from where the tree fall occurred, only to realise that the tree was situated within Roshni Apartments in Mumbra and the same society complex has nine more trees with outgrown branches.

Manish Joshi, deputy municipal commissioner, said, “We will be trimming around 12 trees near the Parsik tunnel. This includes 10 of Roshni Apartments and two others in the vicinity. This will help reduce the load on the tunnel. This is happening in the presence of railway officials along with TMC’s garden department and fire brigade.”

The trimming process would be completed by Wednesday evening.