Three trains came dangerously close to collision near Allahabad on Tuesday after one of them had to stop suddenly near a Railway crossing, causing the two that were following on the same line to apply brakes.
Passengers in one of the trains said luggage from upper berths were thrown off due to the sudden braking, which caused panicked passengers to get down.
The incident took place near the crossing at the Cantonment, which is not far from the station.
Duranto Express, which arrived at the Allahabad crossing at about 10am, had to be stopped when it hit a rickshaw crossing the track despite barriers being down. The rickshaw puller escaped unhurt and fled.
The Hatia Anand Vihar Express and the Mahabodhi Express were following the Duronto and their alert drives applied the emergency brakes after spotting the stationary train.
Railway authorities at the Central railway station said it was not unusual for trains to be put on the same track in times of need.
They later said adequate safety was ensured and no violation took place as the trains stopped in the automatic signal section that turned ‘red’. They said the rickshaw had been seized and a case registered by the GRP.
{{/usCountry}}They later said adequate safety was ensured and no violation took place as the trains stopped in the automatic signal section that turned ‘red’. They said the rickshaw had been seized and a case registered by the GRP.
{{/usCountry}}Manglu Ram, who was on the Mahabodhi Express, said the braking jolt threw off luggage from the upper berths but no one was injured. “ I jumped out of the train as I thought something serious has happened,” he said.
Sources said the railway staff at the crossing were at fault since they did not inform the gatemen of at three three railway crossings about the Duranto having stopped. “They could have told them not to allow the trains after Duranto to proceed; it is a clear violation of the standard practice,” they said