According to a first investigation into the Sabarmati-Agra Superfast Express disaster at Ajmer, the loco pilot mistook the red signal, causing it to crash with two freight train rear carriages.
On Monday, the passenger train that was headed to Agra derailed close to the Ajmer station, resulting in the loss of four carriages. There were no confirmed fatalities from the event.
Train number 12458 (Sabarmati-Agra Superfast Express) left Ajmer at 00:50, according to the joint probe report, which was signed by seven experts. As the train approached Madar station, the driver ran a red signal, and the train collided with two rear wagons of a freight train that was passing through at an intersection or crossover.
As a result, the train’s engine and four coaches derailed, severely disrupting train operations for many hours in both directions. Even though the train was traveling 50 km/h at the time of the accident, the report said that there were no casualties or injuries as a result of the event.
In his statement, the loco pilot also acknowledged that he had seen the first signal in double yellow and the second in single yellow before pulling into the Madar station.
The driver went on to say that he engaged the emergency stop when he saw the third light turning red, but by then, the train had crashed with the freight train’s back end.
Experts claim that since trains have momentum and take time to stop after traveling 500–600 meters, drivers are often required to apply the brakes at the first double yellow light.
The driver must apply the brakes due to an impediment on the track ahead when the first signal in the double yellow position appears. According to a former locomotive pilot, in such a scenario, the third signal is red while the subsequent one remains yellow.
“The driver has admitted to the joint report committee that he saw the first signal in double yellow position,” the speaker said. However, he hasn’t explained why he didn’t use the brake at that moment.
According to locomotive pilots, drivers tend to lose concentration and engage in other activities, which might result in overshooting a red signal, commonly known as Signal Passed At Danger, or SPAD.
“Due to fatigue, drivers occasionally nod off as well, leading to SPAD.” A loco pilot, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “There are situations where mental stress or family issues bog their mind so much that they miss signals.”
“Even though the assistant loco pilot’s responsibility is to warn the loco pilot of these things, sometimes drivers become distracted and cause SPAD,” he said.
According to the SPAD investigation in this instance, the driver lived alone and apart from his family.