An old and forgotten relic of locomotive turntables could have saved the day and averted the accident at Matunga is what Central Railway’s prominent trade union National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU) states, adding that instead of banning the long-hood engines, it would have been easier to turn them around.

“Our union time and again has emphasized for the provision of 'engine turn round table' in Mumbai division to avoid long hood driving which is also not considered,” says Venu P Nair, NRMU general secretary.