Unions Challenge Railway Board Over Driver Blame in Deadly Collision

Driver unions contest the Railway Board's preliminary blame on the deceased goods train driver for the deadly collision with the Kanchanjunga Express. They present documents showing the driver had the authority to pass defective signals. The unions argue this points to systemic faults in railway operations rather than driver error.

Driver unions have openly disputed the Railway Board's initial blame on the late goods train driver for the fatal collision involving the Kanchanjunga Express. New documents, they claim, absolve the driver of responsibility.

According to the unions, the goods train driver had an authority letter — T/369 (3B) — permitting him to cross initial defective signals at a restricted speed. Another letter — T/A 912 — did not specify speed limits for subsequent signals.

Despite ten fatalities, including the driver's, the unions insist that pointing the blame solely at the driver oversimplifies the larger issue of systemic flaws within railway operations.