Railways suspend six staff for Brahmaputra Mail accident

Kolkata, Jan 11 (PTI) The driver, assistant driver and guard of the goods train that was involved in a mishap with the Brahmaputra Mail were among six staff members of Malda division of Eastern Railway suspended for alleged negligence today. Loco inspector of Sahibganj in Jharkhand where the mishap took place, the on-duty assistant station master and porter of Karanpurato station have been suspended, Eastern Railway sources said here. They were suspended for alleged negligence that caused the stationary goods train in the loop line to roll back and hit the passing Brahmaputra Mail when it was passing Kuranpurato station. The goods train was on the main line since midnight due to a technical problem in its engine, the release said. The sources said that the rear nine coaches of Brahmaputra Mail left the accident site with the passengers at 8.20 AM and left for its destination New Delhi after the passengers were served food by railway authorities at Barharwa station. Four trains have been detained at different stations in the section owing to the accident, ER sources said. The Brahmaputra Mail to Guwahati was detained at Sabour, while the Guwahati-LTT Express was halted at Kalyan Chak station and would be diverted via different routes. The Malda Town-Bhagalpur Express was detained at Barharwa station and Bhagalpur-Azimganj Passenger at Shivnarayanpur station, the sources said.