Incident Near Varkala Sparks Safety Concerns
The Indian Railways has launched an investigation after a Vande Bharat Express hit an auto-rickshaw that had fallen onto the tracks at Akathumuri station near Varkala in Kerala. The incident occurred late on Tuesday night and narrowly avoided a major tragedy.
RPF Registers Case, Driver Taken Into Custody
Following the incident, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) registered a case and took the auto-rickshaw driver into custody. Officials identified the driver as Sudhi, a resident of Kallambalam. Railway authorities said he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Safety Lapse During Construction Work
Preliminary findings revealed a serious safety lapse at the station. Railway officials said a temporary road built for platform widening work was neither barricaded nor closed. As a result, the road allowed unauthorised access to the platform area.
The auto-rickshaw reportedly entered the station premises through this temporary access road. The road was meant only for transporting construction materials.
Auto-Rickshaw Fell on Track, Train Collided
According to officials, the vehicle reached the platform and then toppled onto the railway track. Moments later, the Vande Bharat Express passed through the station and collided with the auto-rickshaw lying on the track.
The driver told officials that he lost his way and accidentally entered the construction access road.
Major Accident Averted
Fortunately, the incident did not cause any injuries or loss of life. Railway officials said timely braking by the train crew helped prevent a disaster. No passengers or railway staff were present on the track at that time.
Train Services Disrupted Briefly
Train movement on the route remained suspended for about one and a half hours. During this time, officials carried out safety checks and clearance operations. Southern Railway officials rushed to the spot and conducted a detailed inspection.
Authorities later confirmed that the track and the Vande Bharat train did not suffer any damage. Workers removed the auto-rickshaw from the track, and normal train services resumed soon after.
Detailed Inquiry Underway
The Railways has ordered a detailed inquiry to fix responsibility for the incident. The probe will focus on the failure to restrict access to the temporary road during ongoing construction work.
