Sambalpur: Railway authorities suspended seven officials in connection with engine detached from Ahmedabad-Puri Express train at Titlagarh.

Total seven officials were suspended for negligence of their duty following which the bogies of Ahmedabad-Puri Express train rolled down backwards without engine at Titlagarh, said Sambalpur DRM Jayadev Gupta.

The ECoR authorities suspended two staff for dereliction of duty yesterday. Five more employees including two engine drivers, three carriage repairing officials, one loco pilot and one assistant loco pilot were suspended today in connection with yesterday night's incident.

Probe has been ordered into the incident. A team of four officials from the Railway department will probe the matter. Sambalpur DRM has asked to submit the probe report within three days.

According to reports, a major train mishap was averted yesterday night when the coaches of Ahmedabad-Puri Express train began rolling down towards Kesinga due to non-application of skid-brake on the wheels by staff concerned. While the coaches chugged along in the opposite direction for around 13 km, alert Railway staff brought them to halt by putting stones on the tracks.

DRM Sambalpur immediately suspended Srikanta Kharavel and Dharmendra Nihal for failing to follow the engine shunting procedure.

However, no passenger was hurt in the incident.

“Strictest action would be initiated against the persons for any negligent act endangering safety of trains. Safety is non-negotiable and cannot be compromised with. Any Railway employee found guilty will be taken up severely,” ECoR General Manager Umesh Singh said.

Watch video: Ahmedabad-Puri Express train travels 13 km sans engine 

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