By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Dec: A juvenile elephant was killed after being struck by a train in the Motichur Range of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, triggering alarm among forest authorities and briefly disrupting railway operations. The incident occurred between Motichur Railway Station and Raiwala, in the Kharkhari North Beat, where elephant herds frequently cross the railway track. Upon receiving information, officials and staff of Rajaji Tiger Reserve rushed to the spot, took possession of the carcass and sent it for post-mortem examination. The juvenile elephant fell upon impact and a coach of the passing train rolled over it, leaving the carcass trapped under the train for nearly two hours.
The accident took place when a herd of elephants was crossing the track after emerging from the forest and the Howrah–Dehradun Express approached the stretch. Primary investigation indicates that due to the train’s high speed, the loco pilot could not halt in time, causing the young elephant to be dragged beneath the engine. Officials stated that despite the driver applying emergency brakes on spotting the herd, the distance was too short to prevent the collision. Initial inquiry suggests that dense fog significantly reduced visibility, making it difficult for the driver to detect the herd from afar. The reports also reveal that while the visibility was low due to the fog, the train was still running faster than the permissible speed limit for the forest area. While four other elephants managed to cross safely, the juvenile, estimated to be between five and seven years old, could not clear the track in time.
The mishap resulted in disruption of rail traffic on the Dehradun–Haridwar route for around two hours, delaying several trains. Teams from Rajaji Tiger Reserve and the Government Railway Police arrived promptly at the site. Forest personnel removed the carcass from the track with considerable effort and initiated the post-mortem process. According to Ajay Lingwal, ACF of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, the team maintains regular patrolling along the vulnerable stretch, but in the wake of the accident, additional instructions have been issued to intensify patrolling and monitoring.
Following preliminary findings that the train was travelling faster than the permitted speed before impact, a case has been registered against loco pilot Khushi Ram Maurya and assistant loco pilot Deepak Kumar under the Wildlife Protection Act. Motichur Range Officer Mahesh Semwal confirmed that investigation has begun.
It may be recalled that the Haridwar–Dehradun railway corridor passing through Rajaji Tiger Reserve has witnessed multiple such tragedies in recent years. Several elephants, including adult tuskers and juveniles, have died or been injured after being hit by speeding trains, especially in the Motichur–Raiwala and Kansrao stretches, which lie within critical elephant movement zones. Wildlife activists and forest officials have repeatedly urged for mandatory speed restrictions, installation of sensor-based warning systems and enhanced coordination between railways and forest departments to prevent recurring fatalities. Despite periodic measures, the latest incident highlights the continuing vulnerability of wildlife on this hazardous route and the urgent need for strengthened protection protocols. Experts also insist on strict action against the railway loco pilots in case they are found to be running the train faster than the permissible speed limits on this stretch in order to effectively discourage the loco pilots from violating the rules.
