How Coromandel Express tragedy occurred? Loco pilot claims signal was green, not red

The entire world was in utter shock following a major train accident in Odisha’s Balasore district in which 275 persons were killed and over 1000 others were injured. Many are still asking several questions while others have mounted an attack on Union Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Moreover, the statement of the loco pilot or driver of the ill-fated Coromandel Express was recorded for the first time on Monday since the train accident.

As per sources, the loco pilot of the Coromandel Express, Gunanidhi Mohanty stated that the signal was green, not red when he entered the loop line and the train was within the permissible speed limit. Both the Loco Pilot Gunanidhi Mohanty and Assistant Loco Pilot Hazari Behera, who also suffered serious injuries in the train tragedy, are now undergoing treatment in Bhubaneswar.

Corroborating with the loco pilot’s statements, Railway Board member of Operation and Business Development, Jaya Varma Sinha had cleared several misconceptions surrounding railway safety in the wake of one of the deadliest train accidents in the country.

“We had spoken with the driver and he confirmed that the signal was green. Our staff is dedicated and works with dedication. He neither had passed when the signal was red, nor was overspeeding. The driver sustained severe injuries and he told that the signal was green,” said Sinha.

According to Sinha, our data record (sealed record which is part of the investigation) also suggests that the signal was green and the driver had not passed when the signal was red.

“Secondly, in every loco there is a speedometer and the chart which records the speed. The speedometer graph has been taken out and he (driver) was in his permissible speed limit. This is a high-speed section (130 km/hr permitted) and the train driver was at 128 km/hr,” Sinha added.

The loco pilot and assistant loco pilot are undergoing treatment in Bhubaneswar. “Highest inquiry by Commissioner of Railway Security is underway. Both the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot are undergoing treatment and their condition is stable. The assistant loco pilot was scheduled to undergo surgery,” said South Eastern Railway CPRO, Aditya Choudhry.

Sources said the statements of the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot would also be recorded after their condition improves further.