SOUTH
Rail traffic in Kerala was hit on Sunday when 12 coaches of Train No.16347 Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru express derailed between Aluva and Karukutty stations in Ernakulam district after leaving from Thiruvananthapuram at 8.40 pm on Saturday. Luckily, there were no casualties in the mishap.
A Permanent Way Inspector has been suspended by the Railways following a preliminary inquiry into the derailment of the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Express near Karukutty station in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
A Permanent Way Inspector (PWI) is responsible for the upkeep of the railway track and embankments with a specified area. Mainly, their job is to ensure that the tracks are in good condition, meeting safety specifications.
The Railway divisional engineer ordered the suspension of P Unnikrishnan, PWI in charge of repair work in the Aluva area, after a preliminary inquiry conducted by the department found that broken railway tracks at certain places were fixed with bolts, instead of the recommended welding. Officials also said that a major tragedy had been averted as the train was moving at a slow pace at the time of the mishap.
The Railways has called for a detailed inquiry and high-level meeting would be convened at Ernakulam on Tuesday.