How Do NFR Loco Pilots Exemplify Vigilance to Prevent Elephant Accidents?
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Guwahati, Nov 10 (NationPress) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has once again showcased its dedication to wildlife conservation and ensuring safe train operations in areas frequented by elephants, as stated by officials on Monday.
NFR's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma noted that thanks to the watchfulness and prompt actions of alert loco pilots and their teams, numerous elephants were spared from potential accidents across various sections under the NFR's jurisdiction.
On October 10, Jitendra Kumar, a Tower Wagon driver, exhibited remarkable vigilance and commitment during his shift.
While operating, Kumar observed two elephants crossing the railway tracks between the Rajabhatkhawa and Kalchini sections in the Alipurduar division of North Bengal.
Demonstrating swift and responsible action, he applied the brakes, bringing the Tower Wagon to a halt and thus averting a potential elephant collision, according to the CPRO.
In another instance on October 16, Loco Pilot Satyendra Yadav and Assistant Loco Pilot Sudarshan Hatimuria noticed four elephants crossing the tracks while operating a Special Train in the Mariani–Titabar section of Tinsukia Division in Assam.
The crew promptly applied the brakes and halted the train in time, safeguarding the lives of four elephants. Similarly, on October 24, the crew of the Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express, including Loco Pilot Lalman and Assistant Loco Pilot Vinit Gupta, spotted an elephant on the track between the Bokajan–Khotkhoti section of Tinsukia Division in Assam.
They quickly applied the emergency brakes, stopping the train just in time and preventing a potential accident, thereby ensuring safety for both wildlife and passengers.
Sharma emphasized that these occurrences highlight the dedication, vigilance, and empathy consistently shown by the running staff of the Northeast Frontier Railway.
"With the longest elephant corridors in the Indian Railways network, NFR remains devoted to ensuring safe train operations while protecting wildlife. The railway is continuously adopting measures like Intrusion Detection Systems, building underpasses, and enhanced patrolling to minimize elephant–train collisions in sensitive regions," stated the CPRO.
The NFR operates in Northeastern states, covering seven districts in West Bengal and five districts in North Bihar.