Karur accident: DRM asks private firm to follow safety protocol in operating cargo train

Terming Saturday’s accident at Sallipatti near Velliyanai in Karur district, where a college bus carrying students was hit at an unmanned level crossing by a private cargo train, as “unfortunate”, Salem Divisional Railway Manager Panna Lal on Sunday said proper safety protocol must be put in place by the private cement factory management as was followed by the Indian Railways.

Reacting to the accident, he said the railway track on which the accident occurred was owned by a private firm that owns a cement factory. Cargo trains were operated on the line for transporting limestone. In this network, the Railways had no interface and the cargo train was operated for the day-to-day plant operation. The accident occurred when the driver tried to cross unmanned level crossing without noticing the train. “We feel that there should be proper safety protocol in place by the private cement plant as being followed by the Railways,” said Mr. Lal.