GUWAHATI: Front luggage cum parcel van of Guwahati-Ledo Intercity Express was derailed in the wee hours on Wednesday after the train dashed against an elephant.
The CPRO of the NF Railway, P J Sharma informed that about 4.50 am on Wednesday, the front luggage-cum-parcel van number of train number 15603, Guwahati – Ledo Intercity Express got derailed when the train dashed against an elephant at km 357 / 6-7 between stations Titabar and Mariani under Tinsukia Division of N.F. Railway.
As a result of which the train with all passengers came to a halt at the location. Senior officials of Tinsukia Division reached the site immediately along with Relief Train. The section was ultimately restored at 07.45 am and the stranded train left the site at 08.06 am after the coach was re-railed.
While prima facie enquiry has found that the train was within its stipulated speed, a departmental enquiry has been ordered to find out details about adherence to protocols.
The Railway official has informed there had been a manifold increase in the incidents of elephant crossings during the recent past and trains are constantly slowed down whenever any information of herd movement is shared with the railway by the forest department. It is only because of the close coordination between field level officials of both the forest and railway departments that as many as 200 imminent dashing have been prevented this year alone.