UditVani, Jamshedpur : In a heartbreaking incident near Jhargram in West Bengal, three elephants lost their lives after being hit by a speeding train on Thursday night.
The incident occurred between the Jhargram and Bansantola railway section, when a herd of seven elephants was attempting to cross the tracks through a forest corridor.
According to reports, the elephants were crossing the Howrah–Tatanagar rail line late at night when a train struck three of them, killing them on the spot.
The impact was so severe that rail traffic was immediately disrupted.
The Howrah–Tatanagar Passenger and express trains experienced significant delays due to the accident.
A rescue team from the forest department rushed to the spot after being informed.
They found the carcasses of the three elephants lying on the tracks.
Meanwhile, the remaining four elephants from the herd stood guard over their fallen companions and refused to leave the site.
The scene drew emotional responses from locals and forest officials alike.
Forest officials and local villagers worked for hours to remove the deceased elephants and safely guide the remaining ones back into the forest.
The operation, which continued till early morning, required considerable effort to clear the railway line and restore services.
Ongoing Threats to Wildlife Movement
The area where the incident occurred is part of an elephant corridor that sees frequent movement of herds. Wildlife activists have repeatedly urged the government and railway authorities to implement stricter measures, such as speed restrictions and warning systems in forest zones, to prevent such tragedies.
This accident is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict between expanding railway infrastructure and wildlife conservation in India’s forest regions.
With elephant deaths on railway tracks increasing each year, conservationists are renewing their calls for better planning and real-time monitoring of animal movements.
Authorities Respond
Railways has ordered an internal inquiry into the incident. Forest department sources confirmed that a detailed report will be submitted to the state government.
Talks are also on to implement technological interventions like animal detection systems, underpasses, and increased patrolling in known elephant corridors.
