Bilaspur Train Accident Investigation: Loco Pilots Operating Without Required Psychological Clearance

The deadly collision between a passenger train and a stationary freight train near Bilaspur's Gatora station on November 4 resulted in eleven fatalities and twenty injuries in one of the most devastating train accidents in recent history.

The Gevra-Bilaspur MEMU passenger train disregarded a red danger signal before the catastrophic impact, causing severe damage to steel coaches and widespread destruction.

Railway sources have now revealed a disturbing fact: the loco pilots operating the train lacked proper psychological clearance. MEMU loco pilot Vidyasagar, who perished in the accident, had not completed the mandatory psychological aptitude suitability test required for passenger train operations.

Alarmingly, numerous MEMU pilots across both Bilaspur and Nagpur divisions are currently operating trains without having passed these essential assessments. Of the 42 loco pilots managing MEMU trains in Bilaspur Division, only 30 have successfully completed the psychological fitness evaluation. Similarly, in Nagpur Division, just 33 out of 56 pilots have passed this crucial test.

Railway authorities have now mandated urgent aptitude testing for all pilots operating the 12 MEMUs in Bilaspur and 23 in Nagpur division. A senior railway official informed NDTV, "Instructions have been issued to all Divisional Railway Managers to ensure no loco pilot operates a MEMU without a psychological fitness certificate."

Investigators have reconstructed the tragic sequence of events. The MEMU departed Gatora station at 76 kmph after receiving a green signal. Despite subsequently passing double yellow and single yellow signals—both indicating the need to reduce speed—the train maintained its high velocity.

The train then encountered a red danger signal, which it failed to obey. Still moving at approximately 50 kmph, the MEMU crashed into the stationary freight train on the same track. The collision was so powerful that the MEMU's front coaches mounted over the freight wagons, crushing steel and scattering debris across the tracks.

Officials attribute the accident primarily to human error and inexperience. Loco pilot Vidyasagar, who had only been promoted to passenger train operations a month earlier, may have misinterpreted a signal from an adjacent track as being intended for his train while navigating a curved section, leading to the fatal error in judgment.

Vidyasagar died instantly in the crash, while assistant loco pilot Rashmi Raj sustained critical injuries and remains in life-threatening condition.

A five-member investigation committee led by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) Brijesh Kumar Mishra has submitted its preliminary findings to the Railway Board.

The South East Central Railway (SECR) has implemented an action plan to prevent future incidents. Directives have been sent to the Divisional Railway Managers of Bilaspur, Raipur, and Nagpur to conduct psychological and aptitude tests for all MEMU loco pilots, enhance training and refresher courses for new recruits, and implement real-time monitoring of MEMU operations in high-traffic sections.