A Rajdhani Express was stopped on Wednesday morning in Assam’s Hojai district to permit a herd of wild elephants to cross railway tracks safely, officials reported.
The forest staff maintained strict vigilance and took prompt action, coordinating with the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to protect the elephants’ passage in the Hawaipur area near Lanka.
The forest personnel observed the herd attempting to cross the tracks as the Down Rajdhani Express approached. Alert measures involving the forest staff, the train’s loco-pilot, and the Lumding Railway Control Room allowed the elephants to cross without incident, after which the train continued its journey.
Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Barua shared a video on social media and stated, “An unexpected halt on the tracks, but only for our adorable giants to pass by. This morning, the Down Rajdhani Express was stopped at Km 167/8 as an elephant herd crossed the tracks at Hawaipur under Lanka Range, Nagaon South Division, Hojai.”
He added, “Alert action by our @assamforest staff, the loco-pilot and Lumding Railway Control Room ensured the herd crossed safely and the train resumed its journey. Another day, another safe crossing!”
Minister Malla Barua emphasized the ongoing efforts of forest personnel, saying, “Every day, our dedicated forest personnel remain watchful, quietly ensuring the safety of our wildlife. These may be silent stories, but each safe crossing is a story worth telling.”