GUWAHATI: Alertness of a loco pilot (train driver) saved the life of a wild elephant that strayed on the railway track near Jakhala Bandha Railway station in Nagaon district of Assam on Thursday, the CPRO of the Northeast Frontier Railway informed on Friday.
The train was on its journey from Silghat to Guwahati with crew members, Kanak Chandra Nath, loco pilot (driver), Ravi Ranjan Kumar, assistant loco pilot and Arun Rabha, Guard.
The train had left Silghat as per its schedule departure time at 06.00 hours and while entering Jhakhala Bandha railway station at about 06:15 hours, the on-duty crew members suddenly noticed movement of an elephant just about 65 m ahead of the train. Loco pilot applied emergency brake at once for stopping the train and the train came to dead stop just 25 metres before the location through which the elephant was passing thereby saving the life of the elephant and ensuring its safe passage.
The section where the incident occurred is not earmarked as elephant corridor and also no information on the movement of the elephant was received by the crew member. Despite this, the Loco pilot was cautious enough with a speed of about 40 kmph and managed to save the elephant. However, in reaction to this incidence, the elephant suddenly came charging towards the Diesel Power Car No. 13029. As a result of the attack, damages in the form of some dents, scratches and hole on the outer body had occurred.
The alertness and presence of mind of the loco pilot and crew in acting timely to prevent elephant casualty has been widely appreciated and they have been recommended for award by General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway.