A massive train disaster was averted on Sunday morning near Perambur Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh. The loco-pilot of a goods train applied emergency breaks after finding an LPG cylinder lying on the railway tracks. The train was en route from Kanpur to Prayagraj. The cylinder was removed from the tracks and the authorities are actively looking into the matter.

According to the Chief PR Officer of North Central Railways, the driver saw an LPG cylinder lying on the tracks of Prempur station at 5.50 am and stopped the train using emergency brakes. He informed that the Railway IOW and security teams inspected the cylinder and cleared it from the tracks.

“The 5-liter cylinder was found empty during inspection. Instructions have been issued to investigate the incident,” he stated.

Similar Incidents In The Past

From June 2024 to date, 24 such incidents have taken place with hazardous objects like LPG cylinders, bicycles, iron rods, and cement blocks discovered on the tracks.

On September 8, the Kalindi Express, traveling from Prayagraj to Bhiwani, hit an LPG cylinder kept on the tracks in Kanpur, and the train was immediately stopped. The loco pilot also found other suspicious things such as a petrol bottle and matchboxes in the incident. According to the Indian Railways, there have been at least 18 attempts to derail trains throughout the country since August.