Maoist attacks force Rlys to put brakes on Rajdhanis

NEW DELHI/GAYA: Terror strikes by Maoists have forced the Railways to slow down the flagship trains that had once set a new benchmark in fast rail travel in India. Following an attack that derailed the Bhubaneswar-Delhi Rajdhani on Tuesday, imperilling lives of about 500 passengers, the Railways imposed a 75kmph speed cap on all east-bound Rajdhanis as these traverse Naxal strongholds.

The measure will extend the run of all these trains by at least an hour since the original speed was set at 110-120 kmph. The decision was taken after a home ministry warning of more Naxalite attacks on soft civilian targets in retaliation to Operation Greenhunt.

This is the first time the Railways have placed speed controls on Rajdhanis outside the northeast for security reasons. The measure came amid a sharp spike in violence in the Naxal-affected eastern region, and clear signs that red ultras were gearing up to retaliate against offensives which have forced them on the backfoot.

While passengers on board the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani had a narrow escape because of an alert driver, R K Singh, as well as the sturdiness of coaches designed in Germany and equipped to withstand shocks, the attack exposed the vulnerability of these trains and brought home to authorities the risks in the Naxal-dominated areas.
Gaya SP Sushil Khopade said Maoists came on 10 motorcycles and planted IEDs on the tracks late on Monday night. The blast tore off a three-foot section of the track. The train derailed as it crossed the mangled section.

They saved the Rajdhani

But for drivers R K Singh and A K Khalko who slammed the air-backed brakes as soon as they saw a red banner between Kastha and Paraiya stations, the blast that derailed the Rajdhani on Monday night might have led to a far bigger tragedy. The train slowed to 75 kilometres per hour, against the usual 120-130 kmph, reducing the impact. Singh and Khalko, both in their 50s, have over 22 years of experience in driving Rajdhani and mail trains. Both were given a reward of Rs 30,000 each by Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee.