NAUSHAHRO FEROZ: A significant railway accident occurred at Lakha Road station in Sindh’s Naushahro Feroz district when the Shalimar Express collided with a stationary goods train on Sunday. The impact caused damage to two bogies and the engine of the passenger train, raising concerns about railway safety in the region. This incident has prompted immediate action from railway officials and local authorities.
The goods train involved in the collision was parked on a loop line at Lakha Road station when the Shalimar Express unexpectedly crashed into its rear. Initial assessments suggest that the passenger train failed to stop in time, leading to the collision with the stationary freight train. Eyewitnesses and railway personnel quickly responded to the scene, aiding in the rescue and evacuation of injured passengers.
Local residents played a crucial role in the immediate aftermath, assisting in pulling injured individuals from the wreckage before emergency services arrived. The collision caused the engine of the Shalimar Express to become entangled with the bogies of the goods train, complicating rescue efforts. Fortunately, despite the severity of the crash, the train driver and assistant driver escaped with minor injuries, while the train’s guard sustained serious wounds and was rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Railway authorities have launched a formal inquiry into the accident, focusing on a potential malfunction in the point or switch system at the station. Such technical failures can lead to misrouting or failure to stop trains as required, which may have contributed to this mishap. Investigators are examining all aspects of the signaling and switching mechanisms to determine the exact cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In response to the accident, relief trains and additional railway staff were promptly dispatched from Kotri and Rohri to Lakha Road station to assist with recovery operations and ensure the continuity of train services. Despite the collision, officials confirmed that train operations on the affected routes continued without significant disruption, minimizing inconvenience to passengers and freight movement.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan Railways in maintaining safety standards and infrastructure integrity. The Shalimar Express collision serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular maintenance and upgrades to railway signaling systems, especially at busy junctions and stations like Lakha Road. Authorities have assured the public that all necessary measures will be taken to enhance safety and prevent future accidents.
