Alawwa rail tragedy:

Engine driver faulted by committee

Irangika RANGE

High speed and failure by the engine driver to observe the signal of the Polgahawela bound passenger train had caused the train accident in Alawwa, according to the final report compiled by the three-member committee.

Even though heavy rains cause chaos and pandemonium sending pedestrians and commuters helter skelter on the roads, there is also a sense of calm and discipline maintained in the melee as seen by these school boys, strictly adhering to the new rule, requiring all pedestrians to use the zebra crossings, a scene near the old parliament building yesterday morning amid the heavy downpour. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

The final report of the special investigation committee appointed to look into the Alawwa train accident was handed over to Transport Minister Kumara Welgama by head of the panel, retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Nimal Dissanayake.

The report states that the driver, assistant and the guard had not heeded the signal. According to the investigation, about 1.5 kilometres before the accident site, there was a yellow signal, warning the train to reduce speed. The next signal had a red light, warning the train to halt keeping a lengthy distance before the site. According to railway rules and regulations, the maximum speed to be maintained by a train is 72 kmh, but the driver had travelled at almost 80 kmh.

The driver had also taken the train 33 metres past the red signal after it was put down, failing to stop the train.

The driver had delayed applying breaks for 3.3 seconds and the train had travelled 260 metres after applying the breaks before ramming into the Kandy bound express train which was shunting another train stalled on the track near Alawwa train station.

The committee comprised retired Supreme Court Judge Nimal Dissanayake, Arthur C Clarke Institution in Moratuwa Director and CEO Eng Sanath Panawennage and retired Deputy Inspector General of Police P A Sarath Perera had obtained evidence as well as views from around 25 persons including the additional driver, assistant guard of the Polgahawela bound passenger train and driver, assistant driver and guards of the Kandy bound express train, engineers, representatives of railway trade unions and Railway General Manager B A P Ariyaratne.

The committee recommended several solutions including reposition of signal system, maintaining of proper colour light system and creating effective communication systems among drivers, control room, guards and station masters with a view to prevent future tain accidents.