An initial inspection by Pakistan Railways has found that 10 of the 18 passenger coaches of the 27-Up Shalimar Express were operating as “dummy” units, including nine that were running without functional brakes.

 

The train was involved in an accident on Sunday afternoon after it hit a stationary freight train at the loop line of Lakha Road Railway Station in Naushahro Feroze district.

 

According to the examination report, nearly 60 percent of the coaches had brake-related faults and required maintenance. The report noted that the brake cylinders of nine coaches were not working during checking at Rohri station.

 

In contrast, an initial inquiry report, referred to as the Joint Certificate, held the driver and assistant driver responsible for the accident, stating that they failed to control the train and overshot.

 

“It is really surprising to see both reports — the train’s rake examination [inspection of coaches] and the initial probe report called the ‘Joint Certificate’ in railway terminology. The examination of the rake has revealed that nine of the total 18 coaches [nearly 60pc] had no brakes and other issues.

 

“On the other hand, the initial investigation surprisingly holds the driver and assistant driver responsible for the accident,” an official source in Pakistan Railways stated.

 

“When the brake system is not working, why are the driver and assistant driver being declared guilty? Even if the driver knew it, why was a faulty train handed over to him to operate?” he questioned, urging authorities to take action against those responsible for maintenance and safety.

The rake examination report, jointly signed by a team led by the train examiner in Sukkur, identified faults in multiple coaches, including ZBH (15028), ZBXH (11264), ZBXH (11288), ZRGH (11496), ZRGH (11499), ZRHG (11421), ZRGH (11561), ZRGH (11507), ZRGH (11461) and ZRGH (11475).

 

Meanwhile, the Joint Certificate, signed by five officers, stated that the points for the train’s passage were not set for the main line. It added that the pointsman and station master had shown a red signal, but the driver could not stop the train, leading to a collision with the QSSCTR goods train at around 1:43pm.

 

“The collision resulted in the derailment and capsizing of the engine and the derailment of two coaches next to it. Three wagons loaded with containers of the goods train were also derailed, leading to the blocking of both the up and down main lines as well as the loop line,” the report stated.

 

“After checking all aspects, we came to the conclusion that the accident took place due to the negligence of the crew of the 27-Up (Shalimar Express). Hence, the driver and assistant driver are held responsible for this accident,” the initial investigation concluded.

 

In August last year, train drivers had protested against being held responsible for accidents and warned of a countrywide strike over the continued use of faulty coaches and wagons.