At least eight elephants were killed after the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd in Assam’s Hojai district in the early hours of Saturday
Dispur: A New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express derailed in Assam in the early hours of Saturday after hitting a herd of elephants on the railway track, resulting in the death of eight animals, according to forest officials.
The accident occurred at around 2.17 am on December 20 in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of Northeast Frontier Railway.
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Train number 20507 DN Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck the elephants while passing through the stretch, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches. The accident site is located approximately 126 kilometres from Guwahati. Railway authorities said the area is not officially marked as an elephant corridor.
Despite the severity of the collision, no passengers or railway staff were injured, officials confirmed. The loco pilot reportedly applied emergency brakes after spotting the elephants on the track, but was unable to avoid the collision.
Following the derailment, accident relief trains and senior railway officials from the Lumding divisional headquarters rushed to the site. Senior officers, including the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, were present to oversee restoration and safety operations.
Passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily shifted to vacant berths in other coaches. After the derailed coaches were detached, the train departed for Guwahati at around 6.11 am. Railway officials said additional coaches would be attached at Guwahati before the train resumes its onward journey to New Delhi.
Helpline numbers were activated at Guwahati railway station to assist passengers and their families. Trains scheduled to pass through the affected section have been diverted, while restoration work and safety inspections are underway. Railway authorities said normal operations will resume after clearance checks are completed.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over human–wildlife conflict along railway tracks in Assam, which has witnessed multiple elephant deaths due to train collisions in recent years.
(With PTI inputs)
Published: 20 Dec 2025, 08:30 am IST
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