A potential disaster was narrowly avoided on Sunday night when the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express (train no. 14117), carrying over a thousand passengers, was brought to an emergency halt after hitting an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks. The incident occurred between Shivrajpur and Bilhaurin in Kanpur.
According to railway officials, the alert loco pilot noticed the LPG cylinder on the tracks and applied the emergency brakes. Despite the swift response, the train collided with the cylinder, which was then thrown off the tracks. The prompt action of the loco pilot and subsequent communication with the guard and gateman prevented what could have been a major tragedy.
In addition to the LPG cylinder, a bottle of petrol, matchboxes, and a suspicious bag containing a gunpowder-like substance were discovered at the site, raising concerns of a possible sabotage attempt. The railway engineer Ramesh Chandra filed an FIR at the Shivrajpur police station against unidentified individuals, suspecting an attempt to derail the train. The FIR includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosives Act, and the Railways Act.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is being formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, DCP (West) Rajesh Kumar Singh reported that the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has also launched a separate investigation.
The accident took place approximately 2.5 kilometers past Shivrajpur and five kilometers before Bilhaur railway station. During the investigation, metal scraping marks were found on the tracks. The dented LPG cylinder and other items were discovered around 50 meters from the impact site.
The police have obtained a DVR from a shop in Chibramau and are questioning several individuals. They have formed six teams to track down the perpetrators and are monitoring the movements of religious preaching groups in the area to determine if any individuals with malicious intent were traveling with these groups.
IG (ATS) Neelabjo Chowdhary indicated that the incident could be an attempt to derail the train, and his team is examining all possible angles. The results of the investigation will be shared once available.
This incident marks the third train accident narrowly avoided in the past two weeks. On August 17, 22 coaches of the Sabarmati Express derailed after hitting an object on the tracks. The following day, the Kasganj passenger train collided with a wooden log placed on the track by two youths seeking notoriety.
Rajendra Kumar Singh, PRO of the Izzatnagar division, confirmed that the matter is under investigation. The Kalindi Express was halted for approximately 22 minutes and briefly stopped at Bilhaur station as a precaution. The Lucknow-Bandra Express was also halted at Bilhaur station during this time.
Sources By Agencies