NGT notices to Assam, CPCB over jumbo deaths in Rajdhani collision

Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Assam govt, principal chief conservator of forests and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), directing them to file affidavits by Jan 28 in response to the suo moto petition over the death of seven elephants after being hit by the Rajdhani Express last month in Hojai district.The principal bench of the NGT took up the suo moto case recently based on a news report and issued notices to the aforesaid authorities.Though the case was listed before the principal bench, it has now been transferred to its Eastern Zone Bench, as the place of occurrence falls within the jurisdiction of the eastern bench.Seven elephants were killed at 2.17am on Dec 20 last year when the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants on the Jamunamukh-Kampur section under the Lumding division of the Northeast Frontier Railway. The accident also led to the derailment of the train’s engine and five coaches.In its order, the tribunal observed that “prima facie, the facts and circumstances emerging from the news item raise substantial questions relating to the environment.” The tribunal further directed that the matter be listed before its Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata on Jan 28 for further hearing.