Loco pilot who died in Bilaspur collision was ‘unfit’ to run the train: Inquiry report

The locomotive pilot of the commuter train that was involved in a deadly collision in Chhattisgarh last month was not “fit” to operate the train as he had no knowledge of the basic safety rules, according to an investigation report submitted this week.

Chhattisgarh train collision: With parents dead, relatives of toddler who survived worried about his future

The Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) train had sped past the signal in ‘red’ and collided with a stationary goods train on November 4, leaving 12 people dead, including the pilot. Another 19 people were injured.

Commissioner of Railway Safety Brijesh Kumar Mishra, who inquired into the circumstances that led to the devastating collision in the Bilaspur Division of South East Central Railway, reported that the Loco Pilot had lacked the qualities required to handle the MEMU train, including knowledge of the rules and timely decision-making. He concluded that the Loco Pilot was not fit to work on the MEMU train.

Failed aptitude, knowledge tests