Probe into recurring signal failures holds local technician responsible
A probe into the serious safety lapse in which a suburban train in Chennai was allowed to enter a line already occupied by two other
A probe into the serious safety lapse in which a suburban train in Chennai was allowed to enter a line already occupied by two other trains has held a local signal technician primarily responsible for the incident. However, the inquiry panel also termed the whistleblower motorman of the electrical multiple unit (EMU), whose alertness averted a potential disaster, as “blameworthy” for allegedly failing to follow prescribed operating rules. The committee faulted the Senior Section Engineer (Signal), citing repeated failures of automatic signals on the Ambattur-Avadi section, one of the busiest routes in Southern Railway’s Chennai Division. The incident occurred on March 5, 2026, between Ambattur and Avadi stations, when Automatic Signal S192 displayed a ‘Double Yellow’ aspect, authorising an approaching EMU to proceed even though the line ahead was already occupied. Sensing danger after spotting two trains stationed on the same track, the motorman brought the EMU to a halt just short of the signal, preventing what could have been a major accident.
He also photographed the scene on his mobile phone and reported the incident to higher authorities. A multi-departmental inquiry by senior railway officials examined the circumstances leading to the signal failure through field inspections, technical analysis, and statements from railway personnel. The report revealed significant shortcomings in the maintenance of the signalling system over several months. It found that the automatic signals had failed repeatedly and local signal technicians routinely restored the system by resetting sensors without investigating the reasons for the recurring failures. The report, however, does not indicate whether senior officials of the Signal and Telecommunication, Operations, and Safety departments were aware of the repeated signal failures on the busy suburban corridor. It also remains unclear whether field-level signal technicians were authorised to reset failed signalling equipment without reporting the failures to their supervisors. Failure of safety systems Investigators found Signal S192 had malfunctioned 53 times in February 2026 alone.
A buzzer installed at the Ambattur Station Master’s office to alert staff to signal failures had been found disconnected. The report said sensors were replaced frequently to restore the signalling system but did not examine the role of senior officers responsible for reviewing daily signal failures. It further said an SMS-based alert system intended to notify the Station Master whenever failed signals were reset had also failed to function. The inquiry concluded that the incident was caused by the “unwarranted” and “unsolicited” resetting of the signalling system by M. Ravi, Technician (Signal). Referring to the unusually high frequency of signal detection failures on the Ambattur-Avadi and Villivakkam-Ambattur sections, the report said such failures were being reported almost daily in a WhatsApp group. Despite this, no effective action was taken by Senior Section Engineer (Signal) Prasad Charan Soren to identify the root cause and implement corrective measures.
The BriefWire