Guwahati, 19 August (HS): The Down Rajdhani Express was briefly stopped on Wednesday after a herd of elephants crossed the railway tracks at Hawaipur under Lanka Range in Assam’s Nagaon South Division, Hojai.

Assam Forest Minister Jayant Mallabarua said in a social media post that the train was halted at Km 167/8 after the elephant herd was spotted crossing the tracks.

The alert response of Assam Forest Department personnel, the loco-pilot and the Lumding Railway Control Room ensured that the elephants crossed the railway line safely, following which the train resumed its journey.

The minister appreciated the vigilance of forest personnel and said such safe wildlife crossings are a result of their continuous efforts to protect both wildlife and railway operations.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash