Chakradharpur and Kharagpur Divisions Reroute Express Trains for Safety
Key Points:
- Ten pairs of MEMU and passenger trains cancelled on December 18-19
- Two express trains rerouted through Kharagpur-Hijli to avoid elephant corridors
- Santragachi-Jhargram express short-terminated at Kharagpur station
JAMSHEDPUR – South Eastern Railway cancelled 10 pairs of trains due to potential elephant activity near tracks in Chakradharpur and Kharagpur divisions on December 18.
Railway authorities took precautionary measures for passenger safety. Elephant herds were spotted near railway tracks recently. The cancellations affected local commuters across both divisions significantly.
Two express trains were rerouted through alternative routes. Delhi-Bhubaneswar Express Special was diverted on December 16. Moreover, Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal-Puri Express followed on December 17.
Both trains traveled through Kharagpur and Hijli stations. Railway administration coordinated with forest department officials. They implemented continuous efforts to prevent elephants from approaching tracks.
Elephant herds appeared in several rail corridor areas. Rourkela-Nuagaon section witnessed elephant movement in recent days. Additionally, Chakradharpur-Rourkela and Rourkela-Jharsuguda sections reported similar activities.
Kharagpur division also recorded elephant presence across multiple sections. Forest department joined railway administration in protective measures. The collaborative approach aims to safeguard both elephants and passengers.
Train number 68025/68026 Chakradharpur-Rourkela-Chakradharpur MEMU was cancelled. Train number 68043/68044 Tatanagar-Rourkela-Tatanagar MEMU remained suspended. Furthermore, train number 18175/18176 Hatia-Jharsuguda-Hatia MEMU did not operate.
Train number 68029/68030 Rourkela-Jharsuguda-Rourkela MEMU was also cancelled. Train number 58151/58152 Birmitrapur-Barsuan-Birmitrapur passenger service stopped. In addition, train number 68128/68127 Tatanagar-Chakulia-Tatanagar MEMU was suspended.
Train numbers 68093/68023 and 68024/68094 Kharagpur-Jhargram-Kharagpur MEMU passenger services remained cancelled. Train number 58027/58028 Kharagpur-Tata-Kharagpur passenger did not run. Similarly, Kharagpur-Tata-Kharagpur MEMU passenger service was suspended.
These cancellations continued on December 19 as well. Passengers faced significant inconvenience throughout both divisions. However, safety remained the primary concern for authorities.
Train number 68001 Santragachi-Jhargram was short-terminated at Kharagpur. The service ended at Kharagpur on both days. Train number 68008 Jhargram-Santragachi Express originated from Kharagpur instead.
The train departed for Santragachi from Kharagpur station. This arrangement continued on December 19 also. Kharagpur-Jhargram-Kharagpur service remained suspended during this period.
Previous incidents involved elephant deaths in train collisions. An elephant calf was killed near Bandamunda station. Another elephant died near Ichadih station.
Wild elephants previously damaged rail gates in Chakulia area. Recently, elephants crossed railway tracks near Chakulia again.
Train number 08404 Delhi-Bhubaneswar Special Express was rerouted completely. Delhi Anand Vihar-Puri Express followed the changed path. Both trains could be stopped at any station if necessary.
