The Commissioner for Railway Safety shall conduct an independent investigation of train school collisions at the level of transition in Semmanuppam between Cuddalore and Alappakkam. | Photo Credit: S. Prasad
The collision of the train school, which left three students dead and several other injured near Cuddalore on Tuesday (July 8, 2025) raised questions that point to security at multiple levels, said railroad sources.
Southern Railway quickly accused the van driver and said the gate was closed, but “insisted” that Gateman had opened it. However, Vishwesh, a student who survived the accident with injury, said that the gate was open and there was no interview between the driver and Gateman. He said that Gateman was not to be seen even after the train hit the van.
The sources said that the possibility that Gateman was opening the gate, despite the upcoming train, to confess an application for a private school driver, was very unlikely. It would be easy for the investigators to find out whether the gate was open or closed because the process included the exchange of the secret number between the station champion and Gateman.
Exchanging codes
In addition to the private number, the master station in the section, which is planned according to the Rules book, would give details of the upcoming train except the private number. Gateman would then close the gate and confirm the closure to the main station with another private number, allowing him to enable the train to the block section. The private number would be entered in the register maintained for this purpose.
However, if there is no answer to call from Gateman, the station master would issue a careful order to the locomine pilot of the train that would entitle him to “approach the gate carefully and whistle as often”. If the Loco pilot does not find Gateman at the hand signal, he should exceed the transition at the level along with the train leader after ensuring that he is safe and clear before operation.
In the Cuddalore accident, the sources said, if Gateman did not close the gate at all, there would be no replacement of the private number with the main station; Therefore, the station master would issue a careful command to Loco. Another possibility was that Gateman handed over the private numbers to the station, but not the gateway closure. That was a rare case.
On the southern railway, there was no answer to the question to which a formal statement was made, that the gate was closed and then opened by Gateman after the driver “insisted”. Also, there was no answer to the questions whether the Gateman’s cab was sought for prohibited objects, especially alcohol, and whether there was a command for caution Loco pilot, and the number of inspections carried out at the level of the transition from seniors since January 2024.
Safe passage through the gates at the transition level included mandatory obligations by the main champion of the station, Loco, Gateman and train manager. If the gate is closed, a private number will be included in the main belt register and then replacing the signals with the Loco pilot and the train with Gateman. If the gate is not closed, the train will run slowly and even stop before switching to the level before the measure after security, the sources added.
Probe ordered
Southern Railway ordered a team of higher officers inquiry about the circumstances that led to the accident. The Commissioner for Railway Security, which falls under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, would also conduct an independent investigation, the railway official said.
Published – 8 July 2025 9:05
