Bhubaneswar, February 20: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Friday denied that certain media reports two MEMU trains from narrowly escaped an accident and asserted that no such untoward incident occurred.

In a press communique the ECoR stated, “With reference to certain media reports stating that two MEMU trains narrowly escaped an accident and were in a face-to-face situation, East Coast Railway wishes to categorically clarify that no such untoward incident occurred.”

“Train No. 68407 Baleshwar–Bhubaneswar MEMU and Train No. 68413 Talcher–Puri MEMU were operating in Nergundi-Kendraparaa section equipped with a fully functional automatic signalling system. Under this system, train movements are regulated through automatic block signalling, ensuring that trains maintain a predetermined and safe braking distance from one another,” it stated.

“In the present case, the two trains were not in a face-to-face position. They were positioned back-to-back on the same track, maintaining the prescribed safe distance as governed by signalling aspects. Such regulation of trains within automatic signalling territory is a normal and safe operational feature, where one train may be detained behind another until the signal ahead clears,” it added.

It is also pertinent to mention that MEMU trains are provided with driving cabs at both ends, enabling operation from either side. Therefore, visual perception alone may sometimes create confusion regarding the direction or positioning of such trains, it added.

“Railways have, on several occasions in the past, clarified similar situations arising out of automatic signalling operations. These are routine operational scenarios and do not indicate any safety lapse,” the ECoR further said.

The ECoR requested media platforms to verify facts with the Railway Administration before airing or publishing such reports. “Unverified information may inadvertently create anxiety or panic among passengers and the general public,” it said.