In an unfortunate incident, a wild elephant dashed against the engine of a goods train between Azara and Mirza stations on January 26 night, NF Railway officials informed on January 27.
The incident occurred at around 2:55 am on January 27 between Azara and Mirza stations under Rangiya division of NF Railway.
“The driver of the goods train reported side collision by an elephant with the train engine while on run at about 2:55 am. After getting dashed, the elephant fell down on track,” NF Railway chief public relations officer Guneet Kaur said in a statement.
“Track clearance was given by SSE/P-Way/Mirza at 5:20 am with normal speed after removal of elephant from track and the goods train left from site towards Azara,” the statement added.
NF Railway informed that due to this incident, train no. 13247 DN Kamakhya – Rajendra Nagar Terminal express suffered detention for 20 minutes; train no. 22501 UP New Tinsukia – KSR Bengaluru SF express controlled at New Bongaigaon and delayed by about one hour. Some other goods trains passing through this section at that time were also delayed.
“It may be noted that the area where the incident occurred is not a forest declared elephant corridor. No information from forest officials or villagers on the movement of the elephant in the area was received by the nodal railway officials,” the statement further said.
As a preventive measure, forest department and railways have dedicated representatives from both sides at the railway’s divisional 24 hr working control office, but no information regarding movement of elephant was available with the forest official available at control as well. After the incident, information was given by railway officials to the forest department.
“After the incident of last night, NF Railway has proactively decided to conduct a detailed enquiry of the incident and has imposed caution during train movement and reassessment of notified elephant corridors are also being taken in coordination with forest department,” the NF Railway said.
