Loco pilot walks off, train blocks crossing for 14 hrs
Vincent.Arockiaraj@timesgroup.com
Trichy: 10.09.2018
Scores of people in Kumbakonam, especially those in Sakkottai and Nachiyarkoil, were unable to pass through the manned level crossing adjoining the station for over 14 hours on Saturday as a goods train lay there blocking their passage. Railway sources said the loco pilot abandoned the train after informing his superior that his duty hours had come to an end and he was unable to continue. However, functionaries of the railway union have blamed the crew controllers’ wrong planning for the incident.
Kumbakonam and nearby areas in Thanjavur district are known to have a number of modern rice mills. Hence, loading or unloading of paddy bags at the goods yard located adjacent to the Kumbakonam railway station is routine. According to sources, as usual, a goods train piloted by N Velmurugan arrived at the yard in Kumbakonam and the process of loading paddy bags commenced. When the process got over, it was 3 am on Saturday by which time the crew’s duty hours were over.
Velmurugan had driven the loco up to Kumbakonam railway station and brought the engine to a halt on the third platform. Subsequently, he had informed the crew control at Trichy railway junction of his inability to continue as he had already crossed his duty time of 12 hours. Railway sources said that the goods train was bound for Pollachi. As the pilot could not be convinced to continue his duty further, the crew control authorities relieved him. Meanwhile, since the train comprised 41 goods wagons, it had extended beyond a manned level crossing (MLC).
Members of the public said the train was found halted at the station from 3 am till around 5.30pm on Saturday when it finally started chugging towards Trichy.
TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE
Vincent.Arockiaraj@timesgroup.com
Trichy: 10.09.2018
Scores of people in Kumbakonam, especially those in Sakkottai and Nachiyarkoil, were unable to pass through the manned level crossing adjoining the station for over 14 hours on Saturday as a goods train lay there blocking their passage. Railway sources said the loco pilot abandoned the train after informing his superior that his duty hours had come to an end and he was unable to continue. However, functionaries of the railway union have blamed the crew controllers’ wrong planning for the incident.
Kumbakonam and nearby areas in Thanjavur district are known to have a number of modern rice mills. Hence, loading or unloading of paddy bags at the goods yard located adjacent to the Kumbakonam railway station is routine. According to sources, as usual, a goods train piloted by N Velmurugan arrived at the yard in Kumbakonam and the process of loading paddy bags commenced. When the process got over, it was 3 am on Saturday by which time the crew’s duty hours were over.
Velmurugan had driven the loco up to Kumbakonam railway station and brought the engine to a halt on the third platform. Subsequently, he had informed the crew control at Trichy railway junction of his inability to continue as he had already crossed his duty time of 12 hours. Railway sources said that the goods train was bound for Pollachi. As the pilot could not be convinced to continue his duty further, the crew control authorities relieved him. Meanwhile, since the train comprised 41 goods wagons, it had extended beyond a manned level crossing (MLC).
Members of the public said the train was found halted at the station from 3 am till around 5.30pm on Saturday when it finally started chugging towards Trichy.
TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE
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