Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Vande Bharat Pelted With Stone, Windowpane Damaged

Bhubaneswar: Windowpane of an Executive Class coach of Rourkela- Bhubaneswar Vande Bharat Express was damaged after the train was pelted with stones between Meramandali and Budhapank in Dhenkanal-Angul Railway Section in Odisha on Sunday.

According to East Coast Railway (ECoR), the incident was reported by the on-duty Railway Protection Force (RPF) escorting staff. “The security wing of ECoR has taken it seriously and alerted the RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP). RPF’s Assistant Security Commissioner from Cuttack has been rushed to the spot,” it said.

Local police have also been informed about the matter. “Strict action will be taken against the stone-pelters. Both the security wing of ECoR in coordination with local police are on job to trace the culprits,” it added.

The ECoR further said that similar incidents have also been reported from other parts of the country. However, no passengers have been harmed so far.

Indian Railways, especially East Coast Railway, is consistently making drives to educate public, especially those residing in areas near rail tracks, not to throw stones on trains as that could harm passengers.

Steps taken to safeguard the lives of passengers and damage to Railway Property due to vandalising by miscreants:

1. Various awareness programmes, including Operation Saathi, are conducted regularly in inhabited areas adjacent to the railway track to sensitise people towards the menace of stone pelting and its consequences.

2. Regular drives are conducted against anti-social elements like drunkards, mischievous elements etc. in the affected section/black spots and the apprehended persons are prosecuted under legal provisions of the law.

3. For immediate assistance, passengers can make complaints on Rail Madad Portal directly or through Helpline Number 139 (integrated with National Emergency No. 112).

4. Railways are in regular touch with passengers through various social media platforms viz. Twitter, Facebook, Koo etc. to enhance the security of passengers and to address their security concerns.