How did the Rajdhani Express derail in Assam, killing seven elephants?
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Synopsis
On December 20, a tragic incident involving the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam led to the deaths of seven elephants and disrupted train services. This collision raises critical awareness about wildlife preservation and railway safety. Discover the details of this unfortunate event and its implications.
Key Takeaways
- Seven elephants lost their lives due to a train collision.
- The incident occurred in an area not designated as an elephant corridor.
- No passengers were injured during the derailment.
- Trains have been cancelled, regulated, or short-terminated as a result.
- Restoration efforts are underway to resume normal train services.
Guwahati, Dec 20 (NationPress) Train operations were disrupted in Assam on Saturday following the derailment of the Sairang (Mizoram)-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, which tragically resulted in the deaths of seven elephants and left a calf injured in the Hojai district, according to officials.
In the early hours of Saturday, a herd of wild elephants encountered the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express while crossing the tracks, leading to the unfortunate incident that caused significant railway service interruptions.
Officials reported that the accident happened in an area that is not classified as an elephant corridor. The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) for Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, stated that the train's loco pilot applied emergency brakes upon spotting the herd. However, the train still struck the elephants.
As a result of the collision, nine trains were cancelled, 14 trains were regulated, and two trains were short-terminated. The cancelled services included the Guwahati-Jorhat Town and Jorhat Town-Guwahati Jan Shatabdi Express, Guwahati-Badarpur Vistadome Express, New Tinsukia-Rangiya Express, and Lumding-Guwahati Passenger.
Sharma noted that the incident occurred in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section under the Lumding Division of NFR, where the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with the elephants, resulting in the derailment of the locomotive and five of its coaches.
Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities among passengers. The incident occurred approximately 126 km from Guwahati.
Accident Relief trains, along with officials from the Divisional Headquarters, have already been dispatched to the scene. Helpline numbers have also been activated at the Guwahati Railway station.
Senior Railway officials, including the General Manager of NFR and the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, are present at the site. Meanwhile, passengers in affected railway coaches have been temporarily housed in vacant berths in other coaches.
After detaching the affected coaches, the train has left for Guwahati. Additional coaches will be added upon arrival to accommodate passengers from the impacted coaches, allowing the train to continue its journey.
Trains scheduled to traverse the affected section are being redirected through the 'Upline.' Restoration efforts are currently in progress.
Point of View
We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of seven elephants in Assam due to the recent derailment of the Rajdhani Express. This incident underscores the need for enhanced wildlife management and railway safety protocols to protect both human and animal lives. Our thoughts are with the affected families and wildlife conservationists as we navigate this heartbreaking event.
NationPress
21/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Rajdhani Express derailment?
The derailment was caused when a herd of elephants crossed the railway tracks, resulting in a collision with the train.
Were there any casualties among passengers?
Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities among the passengers on board the train.
What measures are being taken following the incident?
Accident Relief trains have been dispatched, and senior officials are on-site. Helpline numbers are activated for passenger support.
How many trains were affected by this incident?
A total of nine trains were cancelled, while 14 were regulated and two were short-terminated due to the incident.
What are the authorities doing to prevent such incidents in the future?
Authorities are reviewing safety protocols and considering measures to enhance wildlife protection near railway corridors.
