Sealdah Rail Division Quickly Retracts Order on Paper Signal Form Issuance

In a significant development within the Indian Railways, the Sealdah Rail Division retracted an earlier directive that had suspended the issuance of T/A 912, a crucial document for train operations. This document, a written authority letter provided by the station master to train drivers, allows them to bypass red signals in instances where the automatic signal system encounters failures. The withdrawal of the suspension came through a new circular released late Thursday evening, just a day after the initial announcement had been made public.

The original order, which sparked considerable controversy, was revealed on Thursday morning. It stated that the decision to suspend T/A 912 was made during a meeting involving the General Manager (GM), the Principal Chief Safety Officer (PCSO), and other Principal Heads of Departments (PHODs). The directive emphasized strict adherence and warned that any violations would be met with serious consequences.

The issue of T/A 912 came under scrutiny following a tragic incident near New Jalpaiguri on Monday, where a goods train collided with the Kanchanjunga Express from behind, resulting in ten fatalities and over forty injuries. An initial investigation pinpointed a failure in the automatic signalling system between Ranipatra (RNI) and Chattar Hat (CAT) stations in West Bengal as the catalyst for the accident. It was discovered that the RNI station master had been issuing T/A 912 to drivers to navigate through nine malfunctioning signals up to CAT station.

Post-accident discussions revealed a discrepancy between the Railway Board's official stance and that of locomotive pilots' unions regarding the use of T/A 912. The Railway Board maintained that after receiving T/A 912, drivers should proceed at a reduced speed of 10 kmph, pausing for one minute at each defective signal. Contrarily, Sanjay Pandhi, working president of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation (IRLRO), argued that T/A 912 permits drivers to continue at normal speeds as it is only issued when all lines between two stations are confirmed clear.

This incident has highlighted the critical importance of clear communication and stringent safety protocols within railway operations. The swift retraction of the suspension order for T/A 912 indicates an ongoing reassessment of safety measures and operational procedures by the Sealdah Rail Division to prevent future mishaps.