Sport · India Bureau
Faulty braking system blamed for Kolkata-Sairang train derailment
A preliminary investigation into the derailment has identified a critical failure in the locomotive's braking mechanism as the likely cause of the accident. The probe team found that a key brake component was not functioning properly at the time of the incident.
LSN India ·
An investigation team comprising six members has concluded that a malfunctioning braking system was responsible for the derailment of a train travelling between Kolkata and Sairang. According to the probe report, the BP angle cock—a critical component that regulates brake pressure application across the coaches—was found to be in an isolated condition in the locomotive at the time of the accident.
The BP angle cock serves as the primary mechanism for distributing braking force throughout a train's coach system. When isolated or non-functional, this component prevents the brakes from engaging properly, significantly compromising the train's ability to decelerate or stop as intended.
The preliminary findings suggest that the isolation of this brake system component created conditions that led to the loss of braking control, ultimately resulting in the derailment. The investigation team has recommended that further technical analysis be conducted to determine how the component reached this state and whether maintenance protocols were adequately followed.
Railway authorities have indicated that the findings will inform enhanced safety checks and maintenance procedures across the network to prevent similar incidents in future operations.