Railways today felicitated two trackmen for averting a tragedy on March 13 by detecting a six-inch gap on a section of track on which a passenger train was approaching at high speed.
Priyaswami (60) and Ram Niwas (55) alerted the driver of New Delhi-bound Shiv Ganga Express which would have plunged into the Yamuna, if not for the duo's intervention.
The trackmen were felicitated at the Rail Bhawan here by Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani.
Priyaswami along with Niwas were on patrol duty on Tilak Bridge Yamuna Bridge section on March 13 at 7.55 am when they noticed that the rail head of about 6 inches was broken at the approach of Yamuna bridge, and that a passenger train was approaching the spot.
Showing alertness and presence of mind, one of the men took off his 'gamcha' (towel) and the other raised a red flag. They started running towards the approaching train in a bid to attract the attention of the driver.
The driver eventually noticed the red banner and immediately stopped the train.
"The train from Varanasi eventually stopped just a few meters away from the gap. It was frightening to see how close it was. If the driver had not managed to slow down, even we would have been run over," Ram Niwas said after receiving the honour.
It was not the first time Niwas had shown courage to avert a disaster. Three years ago, he had spotted a similar gap on another stretch and alerted his seniors on phone, and the train was eventually stopped.
This time, however, neither men had a phone with them.
R N Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway said the patrolmen had shown exemplary alertness and courage.
In the letter of appreciation, Lohani said, "It was railway men like them who keep the wheels moving under extreme circumstances.
"I am extremely proud of you and am also sanctioning a cash reward of Rs 5,000 as a token of railways' appreciation and gratitude," the letter said.
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