Loco pilot stops goods train midway as duty time ends

Paddy load was being dispatched to Pollachi from Kumbakonam railway station in 41 wagons at 3 am on Saturday. The police said loading of the consignment was delayed at the godown and hence the freight started five hours later than schedule.

However, when the wagon arrived at Mathulampettai railway gate, the loco pilot stopped the wagon and reportedly informed an official that his duty hours were over. He also asked for a spare driver. But the official reportedly told the pilot to take the wagon to Thanjavur where the spare driver would take over. However, the pilot stopped at the middle of the crossing and left.

Following this, the gate could not be opened and people from Chakkottai and Nachiyarkoil could not cross and reach Kumbakonam. Similarly, other trains could not arrive at platform no 3 in Kumbakonam station. The public had to go an extra distance of 4 km to reach Kumbakonam. The Kumbakonam railway station manager passed on the information to the Tiruchy Divisional Railway Manager ‘s office and a spare driver reached around 2 pm and the wagon was finally moved.