Bhubaneswar: In a precautionary measure to ensure safety amid frequent elephant sightings, the South Eastern Railway (SER) has announced the cancellation of more than half a dozen passenger trains in its Chakradharpur division for three consecutive days starting Sunday.
A herd of elephants is being frequently spotted near the railway tracks in Chakradharpur (West Singhbhum, Jharkhand) to Jharsuguda (Odisha) section, particularly around the Bandamuna area during night hours, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Chakradharpur division of SE Railway, Aditya Choudhary told PTI.
He further noted that trains in the affected section are being operated at reduced speeds to prevent potential accidents, leading to congestion and significant delays. As a result, several MEMU and passenger services have been fully cancelled from December 22 to 24.
The tra
ins which will remain cancelled due to elephant movements in the section include:
– 68025/68026(Ckp-Rou-Ckp)
– 68043/68044 (Tata-Rou-Tata)
– 18175/18176(Hte-Jsg-Hte)
– 68029/68030 (Rou-Jsg-Rou)
– 58151/58152 (Brmp-Bxf-Brmp) PASS
– 68125/68126 (Tata-Bbn-Tata) MEMU
– 68019/68020 (Tata-Gua-Tata) Memu
– 68010/68009/68006 (Ckp-Tata-Kgp-Ckp) Memu
On December 20, eight elephants were killed after being struck by Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district. Five coaches and the engine of the New Delhi-bound train were derailed in the incident, though no injuries to passengers were reported.
The Chakradharpur-Jharsuguda corridor passes through known elephant habitats, and similar precautionary halts and cancellations have occurred in recent months to prioritise wildlife safety. Rourkela MEMU, Hatia–Jharsuguda MEMU, Rourkela–Jharsuguda MEMU and the Badampahar–Bangriposi passenger, were cancelled on December 18-19 to avoid any potential mishap. On October 31 and November 1, 12 long-distance trains temporarily halted on both the up and down lines for several hours to allow 22 elephants, traveling in multiple herds, to safely cross the tracks in the Bisra–D Cabin section along the Jharkhand-Odisha border.