Assam: Rajdhani Exp collides with herd of elephants in Nagaon dist; at least 8 pachyderms die, passengers safe
A tragic train accident occurred in the Nagaon district of Assam in the early hours of Saturday. The Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express train number 20507 Down collided with a herd of elephants. The incident took place between 2:17 and 2:23 AM in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section of the Lumding division. The collision was so powerful that the train's engine and five coaches derailed.
Loco pilot applied emergency brakes
According to railway officials, the train was passing through the Kampur area, about 126 kilometers from Guwahati, when a herd of elephants suddenly appeared on the tracks. The loco pilot immediately applied the emergency brakes upon seeing the elephants, but due to the high speed and short distance, it was not possible to avoid the collision. Seven elephants died on the spot in the accident, while a baby elephant was seriously injured.
Fortunately, no passengers on the train were injured in the accident. The railways clarified that all passengers are completely safe. Relief and rescue trains reached the spot as soon as the accident was reported. Senior officials, including the General Manager of NF Railway and the DRM of Lumding division, reached the accident site and supervised the rescue operations.
Passengers traveling in the affected coaches were temporarily shifted to empty berths in other coaches. After separating the damaged coaches, the train was dispatched to Guwahati in the morning. Additional coaches will be added to the train upon its arrival in Guwahati, after which it will continue its onward journey. This train was launched in September of this year.
Train operations disrupted
Due to this accident, train operations were disrupted in the affected section. Currently, trains passing through this route have been diverted to the up line. Railway officials said that the work to restore operations has been completed rapidly and both lines will be operational soon.
It is noteworthy that this area does not fall under the railway's designated elephant corridor, yet the presence of wild elephants on the tracks is a cause for concern. Such incidents occur from time to time in Assam due to the proximity of railway tracks to forests. The railway and forest departments are working together to take measures to prevent such accidents.