From The Economic Times · Trending Desk · · 1m 40s
When elephants have right of way on Indian rails
A Rajdhani Express stopped in Assam to let a herd of elephants cross safely, showing how railways balance speed with wildlife protection.
In brief
A Rajdhani Express stopped in Assam to let a herd of elephants cross safely, showing how railways balance speed with wildlife protection. Indian Railways coordinates with forest officials to halt trains when elephants cross tracks in vulnerable wildlife corridors, prioritizing animal safety over schedule. Originally…
Rajdhani stopped for elephants
In August, the Down Rajdhani Express halted near Hawaipur in Assam's Hojai district to let a herd of elephants, including young calves, safely cross the railway tracks.
How the stop happened
Forest officials spotted the elephants approaching the tracks at kilometre 167/8 under Lanka Range. Railway and forest personnel coordinated to halt the train and let the animals cross without contact.
A vulnerable wildlife corridor
The Hawaipur-Lumding section sits in a landscape where elephants frequently travel between forest habitats. The Ministry of Environment identified this railway stretch as vulnerable due to regular wildlife movement.
Lumding Reserve Forest connection
The Lumding Reserve Forest forms part of the Dhansiri-Lumding Elephant Reserve and connects to forest areas around Karbi Anglong and Nagaon, making it a critical migration route.
Railway safety measures for elephants
Indian Railways incorporates elephant corridors into timetables, introduces speed restrictions on vulnerable stretches, and alerts staff when elephant movement is reported near tracks.
Coordination saves lives
Forest officials and railway control rooms work together to respond quickly when elephants are spotted. This coordination prevents dangerous encounters between trains and wildlife.
Hojai's historical sites
Beyond wildlife, Hojai district offers archaeological attractions including the Rajbari site with eleventh-century Shiva temples and the R.M. Nath Archaeological Park near the railway station.
The key point
Indian Railways coordinates with forest officials to halt trains when elephants cross tracks in vulnerable wildlife corridors, prioritizing animal safety over schedule.