Guwahati, Nov. 14 -- The Railway Board has instructed all railway zones to ensure that running crews conduct mandatory braking tests after taking charge of trains, following the derailment of the Kolkata-Sairang Express near Guwahati on November 11.

In a directive issued on November 11, the Board also ordered zonal railways to undertake a special safety inspection drive from November 12 to 18 to verify whether locomotive crews are conducting the prescribed brake feel and brake power tests. Any lapses identified during the exercise must be documented and reported to the Railway Board by November 20.

A preliminary inquiry into the derailment at Assam's Digaru railway station has indicated a possible malfunction in the train's main braking...