A tragic collision between the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express and a herd of elephants in Assam’s Hojai district left seven elephants dead and one critically injured early Saturday, officials confirmed. The accident occurred around 2:17 a.m. near Changjurai village, triggering the derailment of five coaches and the train’s engine, though no passengers were harmed.
According to forest officials, the herd was crossing the tracks in heavy fog when the high-speed train approached. The dense fog may have prevented the elephants and the pilot from spotting each other in time. “The autopsy of the seven elephants is underway, and the injured one is being treated by local veterinary doctors. Cremation will be conducted near the accident site as per protocol,” he said.
Not an Elephant Corridor, Says NFR
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) chief spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the collision took place in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding division—an area not notified as an elephant crossing zone.
He added that the locomotive pilot pulled the emergency brake after noticing the herd on the tracks, but the train could not be stopped in time.
“The elephants collided with the train despite the driver’s attempt to halt it. Accident relief trains and senior officials have reached the site,” Sharma said. The accident site is approximately 126 km from Guwahati.
Passenger Safety Measures and Restoration
Following the derailment, passengers from the affected coaches were shifted to vacant berths in other compartments. The Rajdhani Express, minus the derailed coaches, resumed its journey toward Guwahati at 6:11 a.m. Additional coaches will be attached at Guwahati before the train continues toward Delhi.
NFR has activated emergency helpline numbers —
0361-2731621 / 2731622 / 2731623 — at Guwahati Railway Station for passenger assistance.
Train movement along the affected route has been temporarily diverted through the UP line. Restoration teams are working to clear the tracks and re-establish normal rail services as soon as possible.
A Grim Reminder of Rising Elephant–Train Collisions
The incident highlights a persistent challenge in Assam, where elephant herds frequently cross railway tracks during seasonal movement. While the Railway maintains that this was not a designated elephant corridor, wildlife officials say herds often wander outside mapped routes due to habitat disturbance and food scarcity.
Today’s collision, resulting in the death of seven elephants including calves, marks one of the most serious elephant fatalities on the route in recent years. Authorities are expected to review railway monitoring systems, speed restrictions and track-side warning mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies.
The Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express connects Mizoram’s Sairang, near Aizawl, to the Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, serving as a key long-distance link for the northeastern region.
