Off the safe track

Derailed coach was first train of the day on the line. Earlier, empty trains would run across Metro network to check tracks before commuters were ferried. Practice discontinued due to increased 'pressure'

Derailed coach was first train of the day on the line. Earlier, empty trains would run across Metro network to check tracks before commuters were ferried. Practice discontinued due to increased 'pressure'

Seems, the Delhi Metro is slipping fast on safety standards.

Jeopardizing the lives of commuters, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation authorities on Sunday morning allowed a 'pilot train' to ferry passengers, and on a track that was repaired just a few hours back. Later, the train derailed at the point which had been freshly repaired. About 14 persons were on the train during the time of accident.

Though no lives were lost and no injuries reported, the incident raised serious doubts about the safety standards of the Delhi Metro. This was the second such accident within a month, the first had happened near Dwarka station in August.

Putting it together again: Delhi Metro maintenance team works at the site where a coach derailed near Yamuna Bank Metro station in New Delhi on Sunday morning.u00a0PIC/IMTIYAZ KHAN

The train, which met with the accident near the Yamuna Bank Metro Station in east Delhi at 6 am on Sunday, was on its pilot run. It was the first service of the day on the Yamuna Bank-Dwarka route. Earlier, Delhi Metro used to run empty pilot trains across the network every morning before coaches carrying passengers were pressed into service. This was done to check the worthiness of the tracks. But reportedly, the practice has been discontinued.

Delhi Metro Spokesperson Anuj Dayal confirmed the derailed train was on its pilot run. "Due to increased pressure on the network we allow pilot trains to carry passengers. It has been the practice for quite some time," said Dayal.

Off track

What is more astonishing is that the track on which the ill-fated train was running had been damaged due to rains, and was repaired the previous night. "Prima facie the derailment seems to have occurred due to problems related to the track. The junior engineer in charge of track maintenance has been suspended. A high level enquiry committee with four officers of the rank of general manager has been formed to investigate the accident," said Dayal.

August 12
a coach of a Delhi Metro train was derailed near Dwarka station. All the 34 passengers aboard the coach escaped unhurt in the accident caused after the train driver jumped a signal.