Guwahati, 20 December (HS): An unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday when the 20507 Down Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants in Assam’s Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of Northeast Frontier Railway. The collision led to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches. No casualties or injuries to passengers have been reported.

According to railway officials, the incident took place at around 2:17 am, about 126 km from Guwahati. Accident Relief Trains along with senior officials from the Lumding Divisional Headquarters were immediately rushed to the site to carry out rescue and restoration operations.

Helpline numbers have been activated at Guwahati Railway Station for passenger assistance. The helpline numbers are 0361-2731621, 0361-2731622 and 0361-2731623. Senior railway officers, including the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, have also reached the accident site to oversee the situation.

Railway sources said that passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily accommodated in vacant berths available in other coaches. After detaching the derailed coaches, the affected train departed from the site for Guwahati at 6:11 am. Additional coaches will be attached at Guwahati to accommodate all passengers before the train resumes its onward journey to New Delhi.

It was informed that the accident occurred at a location which is not a designated elephant corridor. The loco pilot applied emergency brakes after spotting the herd of elephants, but the animals reportedly dashed into the train.

Meanwhile, trains scheduled to pass through the affected section are being diverted through the Up line. Restoration work is currently underway to normalize rail traffic in the section.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash