Alert driver thwarts possible train mishap near Cuttack

Cuttack: An alert loco driver thwarted a possible train mishap near Balikuda station on the outskirts of Cuttack today.

Sources said the driver of the Main Line Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) immediately stopped the train after spotting a red flag.

The train was on its way to Berhampur from Cuttack when the driver noticed the warning signal and halted the train.

In a statement, East Coast Railways (ECoR) officials informed that earlier today some work for construction of a Foot Over Bridge was undertaken at Gopalpur-Balikuda from 4:30 to 5: 20 PM.

A road crane was used for the purpose. However, the road crane while returning to Cuttack had damaged a few sleepers and some rails on the track, an ECoR statement read.

“Red flag was put at the site immediately. MEMU train driver saw the red flag and halted the train. After 40 minutes, the train was allowed to pass at slow speed. The train traffic has been normalized,” said ECoR in a statement.

Meanwhile, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Khurda Road, Brijmohan Agarwal has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to probe the incident.

The committee would submit a detailed report in 48 hours, said sources.