Gas Cylinder Found On Railway Track In Pune, Loco Pilot Applies Emergency Brakes To Prevent Potential Disaster

A potential disaster was prevented when the locomotive engineer of a moving train in Pune noticed a gas cylinder on the railway track and ensured its removal.

A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was filed at the Lonikand police station on Monday (30 December) by a railway protection force (RPF) personnel, Indian Express reported.

Authorities reported that R T Wani, who was operating the Secunderabad – Pune Shatabdi Express en route to Pune, spotted a small red LPG cylinder on the railway track near Uruli station at approximately 10.41pm on Sunday.

A railway official said, “The loco pilot observed a gas cylinder placed on the tracks between km markers 219/7 and 219/5 and applied the emergency brakes. Upon inspection, the train crew confirmed that the cylinder was directly beneath a power car and was fully intact.”

The crew promptly removed the cylinder to prevent any further danger and reported the matter to the station master and relevant authorities. The RPF was informed to investigate the situation upon the train’s arrival in Pune.

"Before this, the staff of another train passing through the same section had also noticed the cylinder at the same location," the railway official added while an investigation has been initiated by the police to determine the individual who abandoned the gas cylinder on the train tracks.

Unidentified individuals have been charged under Sections 125 (actions that jeopardise the safety or lives of others) and 327 (committing harm with the intention to destroy or endanger a railway) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as relevant sections of the Railways Act 1989.