Attempts were made to derail trains in three different states. In all cases, prompt action by the loco pilots averted potential disasters.
Incident in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh
On September 18, an attempt to derail a train carrying army personnel was made near Burhanpur. Detonators were placed on the track near Sagfata station, about 1 to 1.5 feet apart. Fortunately, some of the detonators exploded before the train’s arrival, alerting railway authorities. The train, which was heading from Khandwa to Thiruvananthapuram, was stopped in time, preventing the derailment.
Cylinder Found on Tracks in Kanpur
In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a small cylinder was found on the tracks near Prempur station. The loco pilot of a goods train noticed the cylinder and applied emergency brakes, stopping the train just 10 feet before the cylinder. This was the fifth attempt to derail a train in Kanpur in the past 38 days. Earlier, on September 8, another attempt involved placing a filled cylinder on the tracks to derail the Kalindi Express.
Metal Rods on Tracks in Bathinda, Punjab
In Bathinda, Punjab, a bundle of metal rods was found on the railway track near Bangi Nagar. A goods train approaching from Delhi was halted in time by the loco pilot, who noticed the obstruction and applied emergency brakes. Railway officials arrived on the scene and started an investigation into the matter.
Incident in Muzaffarpur, Bihar
In another incident, the engine of the Muzaffarpur-Pune Special train derailed when six wheels of the engine went off the track between Muzaffarpur and Samastipur. The derailment caused a one-hour delay. Initial investigations pointed to negligence by the loco pilot and the point man.
Are These Accidents or Terrorist Conspiracies? NIA Investigates
Several incidents have raised serious concerns about whether they are mere accidents or part of a larger conspiracy to derail trains. Here are some significant events being investigated:
- June 5, 2023: A large piece of wood was found on the railway crossing at Manjuri Road, Bhadrak, Odisha.
- October 2, 2023: Two metal plates and rocks were placed on the track between Gangrar and Soniana stations, Rajasthan.
- February 4, 2024: Stones were thrown at the Vande Bharat train between Vanchi Maniyachi Junction and Tirunelveli Junction in Tamil Nadu, shattering nine windows.
- July 12, 2024: An attempt was made to damage the railway track near Dubrajpur-Chiniyal section, West Bengal. A suspect named Sheikh Laden was arrested.
- August 1, 2024: In Lucknow, near Lal Gopalganj station, a bicycle and gas cylinder were found on the railway track. The accused, Gulzar, was arrested.
- August 5, 2024: Another gas cylinder and bicycle were found on the tracks near Lal Gopalganj, Lucknow. This time, an accused named Gufran was caught.
- August 17, 2024: 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express derailed between Govindpuri and Bhimsen, Kanpur. An old piece of track and metal clamp were found at the scene.
- August 18, 2024: Metal rods were discovered on the railway line near Garha, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The investigation revealed an attempt to steal the rods.
- August 20, 2024: In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, a motorcycle alloy wheel was found on the tracks. Train number KNZ733541 struck the object and came to a halt. A plastic bag was found in nearby bushes.
- August 20, 2024: Near Bhadohi station, the bodies of two constables, Pramod Kumar and Mohammed Javed, were found. Agencies suspect a conspiracy and have filed a murder case.
- August 24, 2024: Stones were placed on the tracks between Jawai Bandh and Birolia, Ajmer district, Rajasthan.
- August 23, 2024: A large piece of wood was found on the tracks between Kayamganj and Shamshabad, Farrukhabad district, Uttar Pradesh.
- August 28, 2024: In Baran, Rajasthan, scrap from a motorcycle was placed on the track between Chhabra Gugor and Bhulon, causing a goods train to collide.
- August 30, 2024: A metal rod was found on the tracks between Lingampally and Hafeezpet stations, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana.
- August 30, 2024: In Palamu, Jharkhand, 100 pandrol clips were stolen from the tracks between Daltonganj and Kajri.
- August 30, 2024: In Sambalpur, Odisha, a PAC sleeper slid off the downline track and got entangled with the footboard of a train between Bilaspur and Surla Road station.
- September 4, 2024: Stones were found on the track near Shivpuri-Padar Kheda station, where a passenger train collided with them, leaving visible marks on the tracks.
- September 4, 2024: A large fouling mark stone was found near the Kurduwadi station yard in Solapur, Maharashtra, causing a tower wagon to halt on the tracks.
- September 8, 2024: An attempt was made to derail a goods train in Ajmer by placing cement blocks on the track.
- September 9, 2024: A gas cylinder was placed on the track to derail the Kalindi Express between Bairagpur and Utturipura, Kanpur.
- September 18, 2024: Detonators were placed on the Delhi-Mumbai railway track near Nepanagar, Madhya Pradesh, in an attempt to derail a train carrying army officers.
- September 20, 2024: In Surat, Gujarat, unknown individuals removed fish plates and keys from the tracks and left them on the same track, posing a serious risk.
- September 22, 2024: A 5-kilogram empty cylinder was found on the track near Prempur station, Kanpur. The train was stopped 10 feet before hitting the cylinder, thanks to emergency brakes.
These incidents have raised alarms, prompting the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to step in and examine the possibility of a larger terrorist conspiracy aimed at derailing trains and causing widespread disruption.
Railway Ministry’s Response and Legal Amendments
In light of these incidents, the Railway Ministry is preparing to amend the Railways Act. Currently, under Section 151 of the 1989 Act, the maximum punishment for plotting a train accident is 10 years in prison. The proposed changes would categorize such acts as treason, with harsher penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Efforts are also underway to install cameras in sensitive areas and on train engines for real-time monitoring, helping drivers respond more quickly to obstructions on the tracks.
Leave a Reply