Metro fire: CRS probe finds damage in third rail connector

Kolkata: Preliminary investigation by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) in the incident of fire in a Metro rake on December 27 has pointed out damage in the Third Rail Current Connector (TRCC) on the opposite side of the third rail due to sparking and air spring on the rear bogie of the rake, resulting in fire and smoke in the coach.

Sources in Kolkata Metro said that the CRS eastern zone has also offered some suggestions regarding safety and security of the passengers to the authorities at a meeting held in Metro Rail Bhavan in Kolkata on Friday.

"The CRS has recommended audio and video surveillance inside compartments with monitoring facilities at control rooms and also with the motorman and the guard of the trains. It has also suggested improvement in the fire alarm and smoke detection system for efficient handling of crowd in case of any untoward incident," an official of Kolkata Metro said.

The preliminary probe report undersigned by Mohammad Latief Khan, CRS eastern zone, has been sent to the

Chief CRS who is based in Lucknow.

An air-conditioned rake of a train caught fire on December 27 and had caused breathing problems and injuries to as many as 14 passengers.

The commissioner of CRS Eastern Zone, along with his team, visited Maidan Metro station and the carshed in Noapara where the damaged rake was kept during the probe. The members of CRS also talked with the passengers who were in the damaged rake on the fateful day.

"Inquiry is still in progress and the CRS will also point out negligence of person/persons, if any, in the whole incident," a senior official of Kolkata Metro said.