A major railway accident was narrowly avoided in Bihar on Tuesday morning when the Ara-Sasaram passenger train collided with a tractor at a crossing. The incident, attributed to dense fog and poor visibility, occurred in the Udwantnagar area of Bhojpur district.
Slow Speed Prevents Disaster
The collision took place on a single railway line around 7:54 am. Due to the severe fog, the train was moving at a significantly reduced speed. This precaution proved to be a lifesaver, resulting in only a mild impact. Station Manager S K Singh from Garhani confirmed that the train had departed from Ara at 7:44 am and the control room received news of the collision approximately ten minutes later.
Local police officials stated that the tractor driver failed to notice the approaching train because of the low visibility and attempted to cross the tracks. SHO Jayant Kumar of Udwantnagar police station confirmed that no one was injured in the incident. Furthermore, there was no derailment of the train, preventing what could have been a serious tragedy.
Railways Respond with Alert and Awareness Drive
In the aftermath of the collision, railway authorities have taken immediate action. Deen Dayal Upadhyay RPF Commandant R Jetin announced that all railway staff have been put on alert. He added that security personnel have been instructed to launch a special awareness campaign aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
A police officer involved highlighted a recurring problem of negligence near railway tracks. He explained that villagers often attempt to cross tracks without exercising adequate caution, sometimes oblivious to the immense danger. "The slow speed of the train proved to be a 'blessing in disguise' this time," the officer remarked, emphasizing how the driver's carelessness could have led to a severe mishap.
Focus on Preventive Measures
The incident has once again brought the critical issue of railway safety during winter fog into sharp focus. While no lives were lost this time, authorities are treating it as a serious warning. The planned awareness drive by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) will aim to educate communities living near tracks about the protocols for crossing and the heightened risks during periods of poor visibility like dense fog.
The successful aversion of a major accident underscores the importance of speed restrictions during fog. It also points to the need for combined efforts from railways and local communities to ensure such dangerous encounters do not happen again.
