Despite incorporating hi-tech systems like automatic train protection (ATP), the derailment of a Metro train at Dwarka station on Wednesday has become a cause of concern for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

The DMRC has now initiated an inquiry into the incident.

While the responsibility of the incident has been fixed on the train operator as according to DMRC officials he started the train ‘without waiting for ATP actualisation and crossed the signal at danger’, the DMRC is looking at ways to make the system foolproof.

The four-member inquiry team comprises three general managers from operations, maintenance and signalling and telecommunications departments of the DMRC and a former railways official, Govind Vallabh, as advisor, Traffic, to coordinate the inquiry.

The report is expected to be submitted in a week’s time.

“The inquiry team has two primary mandates while looking into the incident. The team will compile the causes of the incident through fact-finding and recording statements to get to the reasons of the mishap and will consequently make recommendations to avoid similar future recurrences,” said DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal.

DMRC officials, however, maintained that trains on Line 1 (Dilshad Garden to Rithala) and 3 (Dwarka Sector 9 to Yamuna Bank) are run on Automatic Train Protection (ATP) to minimise operational accidents.

But since trains on this ATP system are run on manual mode, this leaves a possibility of human error.

Trains on Line 2 (Jahangirpuri to Central Secretariat) are run on the Automatic Train Operations (ATO) system in which all operations are fully automated.

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