A major tragedy was averted in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district after alert loco pilots foiled two attempts to derail passenger trains, including the prestigious Rajdhani Express, on Monday evening, police said.
According to reports from news agency PTI, unidentified miscreants had tied wooden blocks using earthing wires to the railway tracks between Dalelnagar and Umartali stations at kilometre marker 1129/14. The loco pilot of the Dibrugarh-bound Rajdhani Express (20504), traveling from Delhi, noticed the obstruction in time and applied the emergency brake. He removed the blockade and immediately informed railway authorities.
Shortly after the incident, a similar attempt was made to derail the Kathgodam Express (15044), which was following the Rajdhani. That, too, was prevented due to the swift action and vigilance of the train’s loco pilot, officials confirmed.
Superintendent of Police Neeraj Kumar Jadaun visited the site and issued necessary directives. He confirmed that teams from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and local police are jointly investigating the matter.
In an official statement, Hardoi Police said, “Information was received about a piece of wood lying on the train track (pillar number 1129/14) between Dalelnagar and Umratali railway stations at Kachhauna police station. On inspection, it was found that a piece of wood was tied to an iron strip. Thorough investigation is underway.”
This incident comes on the heels of a similar foiled derailment plot earlier this month in Jaunpur district. Two men, identified as Afzal Ali alias Sonu and another person also named Afzal Ali, were arrested for attempting to derail a train by placing a steel drum on the tracks near Aunka village. The attempt was thwarted due to the timely intervention of RPF personnel, who removed the obstruction and notified nearby stations and police.
Both accused confessed to the crime and have been booked under sections 151 and 153 of the Railways Act. Investigations in both incidents are ongoing to determine if the two are linked or part of a larger conspiracy.
The repeated attempts to sabotage train services have raised concerns over railway security. Authorities have ramped up surveillance and patrolling along sensitive railway stretches in Uttar Pradesh to prevent further incidents.
Sources By Agencies