Another train sabotage? Iron pole placed across railway track in Uttarakhand

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways averted a potentially major accident after a bid was apparently made to derail the Gujarat Mail between Bilaspur Road and Rudrapur City in Uttarakhand.

According to officials, loco pilot of train number 12091 reported to station master of Rudrapur City about finding one 6-metre-long iron pole on the track between Bilaspur Road and Rudrapur City at km 43/10-11 on Wednesday.

The driver managed to stop the train well before the obstruction. He then cleared the track and then started the train safely, the officials added.

Earlier this month, an attempt to derail a loaded goods train was thwarted in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, where miscreants placed two cement blocks on the tracks of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. The train struck the blocks, but no serious incidents occurred.

In a separate incident in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, an attempt was made to derail the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express. Miscreants placed an LPG cylinder on the tracks, along with a bottle of petrol and matchboxes. The train’s driver spotted the cylinder and managed to stop the train after colliding with it.

Additionally, 4-5 grams of explosive powder were found on the tracks, intended to cause a derailment. Police and central agencies are investigating both incidents.

Earlier, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said that the railways is probing the incidents of derailment of trains due to placing of boulders and roads and rods on the railway track.

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