Train crew suspended for speeding

New Delhi: The Agra Rail Division has suspended the crew of the Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express for violating the speed limit of 20 kmph on the Mathura section, thereby endangering the lives of the passengers. The railways imposes speed limits for safe operation of the trains on various grounds such as condition of the tracks, ongoing track repair work, old railway bridges, remodeling of the station premises, etc.

The suspension was imposed on July 21. “Disciplinary action has been taken against the crew and they have been suspended on the spot,” Prashasti Srivastava, PRO, Agra Division, which falls under North Central Railway Zone, told PTI on Friday.

“Both the train driver and the assistant train driver forgot to observe the speed limit of 20 kmph while passing through Mathura and were overspeeding, which is a serious violation of railway rules as it may lead to accidents,” said a railway official from Mathura. This is the third reported incident in the last two months in Agra district where the crew of an express train flouted the speed limit.

“There seems to be something wrong with the train drivers of the Agra division, which includes the Mathura section. It looks like they are under stress for some reason. “The railway administration should take the matter very seriously and send an inquiry team to look into it before it is too late and an untoward incident occurs,” said a railway official, who wished to remain anonymous.

Back in May 2024, the drivers of Gatiman Express and Malwa Express and their assistants were suspended for running their trains at 120 km/h in a section of Agra district where the caution speed limit was 20 km/h.