Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, saw a potentially catastrophic train accident averted on Saturday, thanks to an advanced track heat detection device. The device, known as a Hot Axle Box Detector, played a crucial role in identifying a dangerously overheated wheel axle on the Seemanchal Express, thus preventing a major disaster.
The incident occurred when the Seemanchal Express, travelling from Jogbani in Bihar to Delhi, was passing through Chunar station around 10 am. The Hot Axle Box Detector, which continuously monitors the temperature of wheel axles, issued an urgent alert regarding an unusually high temperature detected in the axle of sleeper coach number S-3. This real-time alert enabled railway authorities to act swiftly. Following the alarm, the train was halted at the next station, Jigna. The affected coach was promptly detached, and passengers were relocated to other coaches to ensure their safety. The train later resumed its journey, albeit with a delay of five hours, after a new coach was attached at Prayagraj. This incident underscores the critical role of the heat detection device in maintaining railway safety.
Chand Mohammed, National Working President of the All India Railway Track Maintainers Union, emphasised the importance of the detection system, stating, “The device at Chunar station provided a vital alert, allowing railway staff to take necessary preventive actions and avert a potential disaster.” Hot Axle Box Detectors are sophisticated pieces of equipment designed to monitor the temperature of train wheel axles in real-time. They are strategically placed at various points along railway tracks to detect overheating, which can be a precursor to wheel or axle failure. By issuing timely alerts, these devices help railway authorities take corrective measures before a malfunction occurs, thus ensuring passenger safety and preventing major accidents.
This incident highlights the effectiveness of modern railway safety technology and its critical role in preventing accidents, reinforcing the importance of investing in advanced infrastructure to safeguard passengers and enhance operational efficiency.
