A timely intervention by Assam Forest Department personnel helped avert a potentially devastating accident involving a large herd of elephants and the high-speed Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Hojai district.
The incident took place on the morning of August 19, when forest personnel spotted around 90 elephants crossing railway tracks at Hawaipur. The herd reportedly included several calves and was moving from West Karbi Anglong towards the Lumding Reserve Forest.
Forest Staff Alert Railway Authorities
The forest personnel immediately informed railway officials after noticing the elephants on the tracks. The alert was relayed to the loco-pilot and the Lumding Railway Control Room, prompting railway authorities to take urgent action.
The Rajdhani Express was stopped near railway kilometre 167/8 at Hawaipur, under the Lanka Range of the Nagaon South Division.
The train remained halted while the elephant herd safely crossed the railway tracks. Once the animals had moved away from the railway line, the train resumed its journey.
Timely Action Prevents Possible Tragedy
The presence of nearly 90 elephants, including young calves, made the situation particularly sensitive. A collision between the herd and a speeding passenger train could have resulted in multiple elephant deaths and serious consequences for the railway operation.
The quick communication between forest personnel, railway control authorities and the locomotive crew ensured that the animals were given sufficient time to cross the tracks safely.
Assam CM Praises Forest Personnel
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the forest personnel for their vigilance and quick response.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining safe passage for elephants along railway-linked wildlife corridors and described the Hojai incident as an example of creating “corridors of safety” for the state’s elephants.
The incident also highlights the importance of coordinated monitoring along railway tracks passing through elephant habitats. Early detection of animal movement and immediate communication with railway authorities can significantly reduce the risk of fatal collisions.
Vigilance Key to Protecting Elephants
Railway tracks passing through elephant corridors can pose a serious threat to wildlife, particularly when large herds move across the tracks. High-speed trains have limited time to respond once animals appear on the railway line.
The Hojai incident demonstrated how a single alert observation followed by coordinated action can prevent a major wildlife tragedy.
For the elephants, the timely intervention allowed the entire herd to cross safely, while the Rajdhani Express was able to continue its journey after the tracks were cleared.
