Alert employee prevents major derailment near Mumbai

A major tragedy was averted on early Tuesday morning, when a keyman noticed a rail fracture between Palghar and Kelwe Road stations, and sounded an alert to officials.

Railway officials from the Palghar station informed their counterparts in Kelwe Road station. The Shatabdi Express had crossed Kelwe Road station. The stationmaster informed the driver, who stopped a few meters before the 10-inch rail fracture, avoiding derailment. 

Rail traffic towards Gujarat was hit for nearly an hour, as the rail fracture was "temporarily put right".

On Tuesday morning, Priya Swami, 58, keyman with the Palghar division was examining the tracks when he noticed the rail fracture.

"The Shatabdi Express leaves Mumbai Central at around 6.25 am and reaches Ahmedabad at 1.10 pm. It passes Kelwe Road station at around 7.43 am at a top speed of over 110 kmph," said Western Railway official. “Had the train passed over the rail fracture there would have been a major derailment. Thanks to Swami, the tragedy was averted,” he added.

When contacted Nitin David, senior public relations officer, said Swami would be suitably rewarded with either a certificate of appreciation and cash reward. “A close watch is being kept on the tracks to avoid such future incidents,” he added.

Image: Railway maintenance staff repair the fracture near Kelwe Road station. Inset: Priya Swami

Photograph: Hanif Patel