Emergency Stop Saves Goods Train: Gas Cylinder Discovered On Tracks Near Uttar Pradesh Station

A potentially dangerous incident was averted when the loco-pilot of a goods train traveling from Kanpur to Prayagraj spotted a gas cylinder on the railway tracks near Prempur station at approximately 5:50 AM, on Sunday Morning.

Demonstrating quick reflexes, the driver applied the emergency brakes, halting the train just in time to avoid a serious accident.

Photo Credit: X/ANI

Following the emergency stop, railway police and other teams swiftly arrived at the scene to inspect the situation. They discovered that the gas cylinder was empty and removed it from the tracks. The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway stated, "A goods train going from Kanpur towards Prayagraj was stopped after the driver spotted the gas cylinder. Our teams are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident."

This alarming incident is part of a worrying pattern of attempts to derail trains in the region. Earlier this month, a major accident was narrowly avoided when the Prayagraj-Bhiwani Kalindi Express collided with an LPG cylinder deliberately placed on the tracks. In that case, senior railway officials were dispatched to the site to conduct a thorough investigation, enlisting the Railway Protection Force and forensics teams to determine the motives behind the act.

In the recent case involving the goods train, the loco-pilot reported that the train made contact with the gas cylinder before it could come to a complete stop, which caused the cylinder to move away from the tracks, thus mitigating the potential for disaster. Interestingly, a Molotov cocktail was also recovered from the vicinity, further escalating concerns regarding sabotage and safety threats to railway operations.

Authorities have been on high alert following multiple sabotage attempts, including a significant incident on August 17 when 22 coaches of the Varanasi-Ahmedabad Sabarmati Express derailed near Kanpur after the engine struck what the driver described as a boulder on the tracks.

In another alarming event last week, a six-meter-long iron rod was found on the railway tracks between Bilaspur Road and Rudrapur city. The loco-pilot again acted quickly by engaging the emergency brakes after spotting the rod, which could have led to catastrophic consequences had it gone unnoticed.

As investigations into these incidents continue, railway authorities are prioritizing passenger safety and the integrity of train operations. Enhanced security measures are likely to be implemented to deter further attempts at sabotage, and the railway police are actively working to identify those responsible for these dangerous acts. The ongoing threat to rail safety has raised concerns among both passengers and railway officials, prompting calls for increased vigilance and preventive measures in the future.