Awarded cash prize for spotting three iron rods on the track

Mumbai: Two motormen of Harbour Line trains averted an accident after three iron rods were spotted just before the Masjid station on Monday.

At 7.45 a.m., M.B. Naik, motorman of a train proceeding from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Panvel saw three iron rods lying on the opposite track before the Masjid station, when another train was coming from Panvel to CSMT.

Mr. Naik alerted the motorman of the CSMT-bound train by turning his flashlight on after applying the emergency brakes.

After noticing the flashlight, Anurag Shukla, the motorman of the train coming from Panvel, immediately put the train to a halt.

Both the motormen then got off their trains and removed the iron rods. The iron rods were taken to CSMT after which they were handed over to the Railway Police Force.

“Both the motormen are heroes. Had Mr. Naik not spotted the iron rods, Mr. Shukla would never have known and the crisis would never have been averted,” A.K Jain, senior public relations officer, Central Railway, said.

The duo have been awarded with a cash prize of ₹1,000 each and a certificate of appreciation for their prompt and efficient actions during their time of duty by S.K. Jain, Divisional Railway Manager, Central Railway.

“Normally, this does not happen. Whenever an untoward incident occurs, or any incident for that matter, it is the responsibility of the motormen and the guards to inform the control room,” he said.

Investigations will be conducted by the government railway police.