Delhi Development Body Allows Private Firms to Buy Flats in Bulk Pradeep Shetty, a track maintainer on the Konkan Railway route near Udupi, played a crucial role in averting a potential disaster. His quick action prevented a possible train mishap, ensuring the safety of passengers onboard several trains.
The Narrow Escape: In the early hours of Sunday, at 2.25 am, Pradeep Shetty discovered a track weld failure between Innanje and Padubidri while conducting regular inspections. Recognizing the severity of the situation, he immediately contacted the concerned officials and reported the issue. Prompted by his alertness, the authorities were able to swiftly rectify the defect on the track. By 5.58 am, a track-fit certificate was issued, allowing trains to resume operations with a speed restriction of 20 kmph.
Appreciation and Recognition: Santosh Kumar Jha, Chairman and Managing Director of the Konkan Railway Corporation, recognized Pradeep Shetty’s heroic actions and commended him for his quick thinking. Jha promptly announced a cash award of Rs 25,000 for Shetty in acknowledgment of his dedication and vital contribution in preventing a possible disaster. The award ceremony took place at the restored track site later that afternoon, further highlighting the significance of Shetty’s actions.
Disrupted Train Services: Passenger Vishal Shenoy, who was traveling on the Panchaganga Express bound for Karwar, provided insights into the situation on board. The train was halted at Nandikur Station, approximately 9 km south of Padubidri, due to the track weld failure. Similarly, the Netravati Express bound for Thiruvananthapuram Central was also held up at Innanje. This unexpected disruption in train services inconvenienced passengers and further emphasized the significance of Shetty’s timely report.
Restoring Safe Operations: Thanks to the collaboration between railway authorities and maintenance teams, track restoration work commenced swiftly. A Rail Maintenance Vehicle was deployed to the site for necessary repairs. The malfunctioning track affected the Mumbai LTT-Thiruvananthapuram Central Netravati Express and the KSR Bengaluru-Karwar Panchaganga Express, disrupting their schedules. The Netravati Express, Train Number 16345, was scheduled to depart from Udupi at 3 am, while the Panchaganga Express, Train Number 16595, was expected to pass through the affected stretch around 4 am on Sunday. After the rectification was completed, Sudha Krishnamurthy, Manager of Public Relations at Konkan Railway, confirmed that train services resumed. However, they are being operated with a speed restriction due to the recent track defect. Passengers are urged to cooperate with the authorities and adhere to any instructions given to ensure a safe journey.
Seeking Answers: While train operations have returned to normal, the cause of the track defect remains undisclosed by Konkan Railway officials. Investigators will likely launch an inquiry to determine the root cause and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Until then, commuters and stakeholders are advised to remain vigilant and appreciate the diligence and quick thinking displayed by track maintainers like Pradeep Shetty, as their efforts contribute significantly to passenger safety.
