Hojai, Assam: In a catastrophic incident for wildlife conservation, at least seven elephants were killed early Saturday morning after being struck by the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (20507 DN). The collision, which occurred in the Hojai district of Assam, led to the derailment of the train’s locomotive and five coaches, causing massive disruption to rail connectivity in the Northeast.
Incident Overview: A Midnight Collision
The accident took place at approximately 2:17 AM in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division, about 126 km from Guwahati.
According to officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express was navigating through a forested stretch when a herd of elephants suddenly attempted to cross the tracks. Despite the loco pilot applying emergency brakes, the high-speed impact could not be avoided.
Casualty Breakdown:
- Elephants: 7 confirmed dead (including 3 adults and 4 calves); 1 calf seriously injured.
- Passengers: No injuries reported among the 650 passengers on board.
- Train Damage: Engine and 5 coaches derailed.
Rescue and Restoration Efforts
Following the impact, the NFR activated emergency protocols. Accident Relief Trains (ART) and senior officials, including the General Manager of N.F. Railway, rushed to the site to oversee the operation.
- Passenger Safety: Passengers from the derailed coaches were moved to vacant berths in other compartments. The train, after detaching the damaged coaches, left for Guwahati at 6:11 AM.
- Restoration: Track restoration is currently underway. While the “UP” line is being used for diverted traffic, the “Down” line remains blocked by the derailed coaches and the carcasses of the elephants.
- Veterinary Action: A team of veterinary doctors is conducting autopsies on the deceased elephants near the site, while the injured calf is receiving intensive care.
Major Train Disruptions & Helpline Numbers
The derailment has triggered a cascading effect on rail schedules. At least 9 trains have been cancelled and 13 regulated as of Saturday afternoon.
Cancelled Trains
- Rangiya–New Tinsukia Express
- New Tinsukia–Rangiya Express
- Guwahati–Jorhat Town Jan Shatabdi Express
- Jorhat Town–Guwahati Jan Shatabdi Express
- Guwahati–Badarpur Vistadome Express
- Badarpur–Guwahati Vistadome Express
- Mariani–Guwahati Express
- Lumding–Guwahati Passenger
- Guwahati–Lumding Passenger
Short-Terminated / Short-Originated
- Alipurduar–Mariani Express: Short-terminated at Digaru (Cancelled between Digaru and Mariani).
- Mariani–Alipurduar Express: Short-originated from Digaru (Cancelled between Mariani and Digaru).
Regulated / Diverted Trains
- Sealdah–Sabroom Kanchanjunga Express
- Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express
- Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express
- New Tinsukia–SMVT Bengaluru Express
- Kamrup Express
- Avadh Assam Express
- Humsafar Express
Official Helpline Numbers (Guwahati Station): 0361-2731621 | 0361-2731622 | 0361-2731623
Climate and Infrastructure: Why the Tragedy Happened?
Initial reports suggest that dense fog played a major role in the accident, severely limiting the loco pilot’s visibility. Interestingly, NFR spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that the accident site is not a designated elephant corridor, raising questions about the changing migratory patterns of elephants in the region.
Political Reaction: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep sorrow over the loss and has ordered a high-level probe by the Forest Department. He emphasized the need to secure wildlife corridors, especially during the low-visibility winter months.
The Road Ahead: AI to the Rescue?
This tragedy highlights the urgent need for the wider implementation of the AI-driven Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Currently active on 141 km of the NFR network, the system uses fiber-optic sensors to detect elephant footsteps near tracks and alert loco pilots in real-time. Environmentalists are now calling for this technology to be expanded to all forested railway stretches across India.
