Dimapur, Feb 13: Two railway trackmen of Lumding Division namely Sibnath Yadav and Tamal Das, whose alertness and prompt action helped avert a major accident, were awarded by General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway Chahatey Ram with a citation alongwith a cash award in Lumding yesterday.
Yadav and Das, both track maintainer under Lumding Division, were on night track patrolling duty on February 3, 2017, between km 208/2 to km 213/2 in between Nailalung and Longcholiet stations. On reaching km 208/4-6 at about 11:52 PM, they heard sound of opening of clips for fastening rails to sleepers. They also saw about four-five miscreants with torch lights in the area.
On accosting them, they were asked to leave the site and also threatened with dire consequence. They went back towards Nailalung from where they communicated with the Senior Section Engineer, P Way, Diphu and narrated the incident. On receiving information, Senior Section Engineer immediately informed the Divisional control room. Train no. 15604 Ledo – Kamakhya Intercity Express, which reached Diphu by that time was immediately controlled at Diphu. The Senior Section Engineer alongwith RPF security staff and nine other trackmen started from Diphu for the site in the light engine detached from the said train. On reaching the site they found about 15 nos Pandrol clips were missing inside of outer rails of curve no 143. Moreover 20 nos Pandrol clips were found open and scattered in the same location. The track was repaired immediately and declared fit at 02-35 AM of February 3.
The passage of any train on the track with missing track fittings would have resulted in major derailment. The timely action of Sibnath Yadav and Tamal Das helped avoid derailment of 15604 Ledo – Kamakhya Intercity Express, preventing the loss of precious life and property.
