Gujarat: Another train derailment attempt thwarted
In a recent incident near Kim Railway Station in Surat, Gujarat, an unidentified individual attempted to derail a train by removing fishplates and keys from the railway track. The Western Railway's Vadodara Division officials reported this incident. Fishplates—specialized rolled sections used to connect railway rails end-to-end with fish bolts—were found removed from the Uttar Pradesh line track and placed on the same track near Kim Railway Station.
Swift action by railway staff prevents potential disaster
The Western Railway, Vadodara Division said, "An unknown person opened the fish plate and removed some keys from the UP line track, placing them on the same track near Kim Railway Station." This led to a temporary suspension of train movement. However, the ground staff cleared the obstruction promptly, and the services were quickly restored, reports said.
Recent attempts to derail trains in India
This incident follows a series of similar attempts to derail trains across India. On September 8, an attempt was made to derail a loaded goods train in Rajasthan's Ajmer district by placing two cement blocks on the tracks of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. Fortunately, no serious incidents occurred as a result of this sabotage attempt. A freight corridor official confirmed that a case has been filed and the matter is currently under investigation.
Alert loco pilot prevents major train accident in Kanpur
In another related incident, a major train accident was narrowly avoided when an alert loco pilot stopped the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express after it hit an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. The police also found a bottle of petrol and matchboxes at the site, suggesting an attempted sabotage. This incident occurred around 8:20pm on September 8 while the Bhiwani-bound train was traveling at high speed.
Sabarmati Express derails due to object on track
Last month, 20 coaches of the Ahmedabad-bound Sabarmati Express derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur after the engine struck an "object placed on the track." Officials indicated that agencies were looking into the potential involvement of anti-social elements in that incident. An FIR has been lodged and various agencies, including Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the NIA, have formed teams to investigate these incidents.
