Eight elephants were killed and one injured early Saturday morning when a herd was struck by the Sairang New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district. The collision, which occurred around 2:17 am in the Changjurai area, also resulted in the derailment of the train’s engine and five coaches.
Details of the Incident
According to a forest official, the incident took place as the train was traveling through the Jamunamukh – Kampur section under the Lumding Division of N.F. Railway. Nagaon divisional forest officer Suhash Kadam confirmed that forest officials were dispatched to the site immediately following the collision.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northeast Frontier Railway, stated that accident relief trains and officials from the divisional headquarters were sent to the location. Importantly, no injuries to passengers were reported.
Disruptions and Response
Train services on the affected section of the railway have been disrupted. Authorities are diverting trains via the UP line while restoration work is underway. The extent of the damage to the railway infrastructure is currently being assessed.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of wildlife to train traffic, and the potential for significant disruption to both rail transport and local ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time did the collision occur?
The collision occurred at approximately 2:17 am on Saturday.
Where did the incident take place?
The incident took place in the Changjurai area of Hojai district in Assam, specifically in the Jamunamukh – Kampur section under the Lumding Division of N.F. Railway.
Were any passengers injured?
No injuries to passengers were reported.
As restoration efforts continue, it remains to be seen how long the disruption to train services will last and what measures might be considered to prevent similar incidents in the future.
