Ramgarh: The Indian Railways and the Jharkhand Forest Department came together to assist a pregnant elephant in distress, halting a moving goods train to ensure the safe delivery of her calf. The incident occurred in the early hours of 25 June near Sarwaha village, along the Ranchi–Koderma railway route via Barkakana, a known elephant corridor within the East Central Railway zone.

Speaking to PTI, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Ramgarh, Nitish Kumar, said:

"Our forest guard informed me around 3 a.m. that a pregnant elephant was in labour and in distress. There was a serious risk of the animal being struck by a passing train unless rail traffic was immediately halted."

Upon receiving the alert, Kumar contacted the railway control room at Barkakana, instructing that all train movement be suspended until the situation was resolved. Shortly thereafter, a goods train was brought to a halt near the location, giving the elephant enough time to safely deliver her calf on the tracks.

Local residents assisted in the effort, helping the mother and newborn until they were eventually reunited with their herd deeper inside the forest.

"This was a life-or-death situation," a forest official commented.

The Barkakana route, which cuts through dense jungle, forms part of a designated elephant corridor, where herds frequently cross both highways and railway lines. With plans underway to double the railway tracks and increase train traffic, forest officials are now urging the Railways to include dedicated wildlife crossings in future infrastructure projects to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of wildlife.