The Chakradharpur railway division of South Eastern Railway has taken the significant step of cancelling five passenger trains for a two-day period starting Thursday. This decision comes as a direct response to the increased and frequent movement of wild elephant herds across three critical railway sections within the division's jurisdiction.
Trains Cancelled and Routes Affected
Railway authorities confirmed that the surge in elephant activity was specifically observed on the Rourkela-Chakradharpur, Rourkela-Jharsuguda, and Rourkela-Nuagaon sections. To mitigate the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of both passengers and wildlife, the division has called off the services of four MEMU trains and one passenger train operating on both up and down lines.
The complete list of cancelled services includes:
- Chakradharpur-Rourkela-Chakradharpur MEMU (68025/68026)
- Tata-Rourkela-Tata MEMU (68043/68044)
- Hatia-Jharsuguda-Hatia MEMU (18175/18176)
- Rourkela-Jharsuguda-Rourkela MEMU (68029/68030)
- Birmitrapur-Barsuan-Birmitrapur passenger train (58151/58152)
Safety Measures and Speed Restrictions
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Aditya Choudhary provided details on the additional precautions being implemented. He stated that all long-distance trains, particularly those on the crucial Howrah-Mumbai route, will be mandated to run at a moderate speed while passing through these vulnerable sections.
This measure will be coupled with proper track clearance protocols and thorough surveillance by dedicated railway teams stationed along the route. Furthermore, explicit directions have been issued to all train pilots (locomotive drivers) operating in these zones. They have been instructed to strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) when navigating tracks known to be frequented by elephants.
A Recurring Challenge for Railways
This incident is not an isolated one, highlighting an ongoing challenge at the intersection of railway infrastructure and wildlife corridors. Just recently, on October 31 and November 1, the Chakradharpur division had to halt the movement of 12 long-distance trains for several hours.
That earlier disruption was to allow the safe passage of a large group of 22 elephants, which were moving in separate herds through the Bisra and D Cabin section located near the Jharkhand-Odisha border. The current cancellations reflect a proactive approach by the railways to prevent similar extended halts and potential dangers by adjusting schedules preemptively based on animal movement patterns.
The situation underscores the continuous efforts required to balance efficient rail transport with crucial wildlife conservation and safety in regions where animal corridors overlap with human infrastructure.
