UditVani,Jamshedpur : Escalating movement of wild elephants across human corridors has thrown rail and road transport in Jharkhand into disarray, prompting cancellations, traffic halts and heightened safety measures by authorities.
Railway operations were hit hard on the Manoharapur–Jharsuguda section of the Chakradharpur railway division, where repeated elephant crossings led to the cancellation of 18 local passenger trains for four days, from December 25 to 28.
Officials said services such as the Tatanagar–Rourkela MEMU, Chakradharpur–Rourkela MEMU, Tata–Barbil MEMU, Tata–Gua MEMU, Tata–Chakradharpur MEMU and Tata–Kharagpur MEMU were among those withdrawn as a precaution.
The extended cancellations have severely affected daily commuters, particularly passengers from small and remote stations who rely on local trains for work and essential travel.
At the same time, railway authorities showcased a strong commitment to wildlife safety. On the busy Howrah–Mumbai main line, a herd of 22 elephants was spotted crossing tracks between Bisra and Bandamunda Cabin ‘A’.
Acting swiftly, officials halted 12 long-distance trains, averting any accident.
The action came amid nationwide concern following the death of seven elephants in Assam on December 20 after they were hit by the Rajdhani Express.
For its prompt response, the Chakradharpur railway division was later honoured by the Wildlife Trust of India.
Road traffic was also disrupted on National Highway-33, the crucial Ranchi–Ramgarh link, when a herd of 18 elephants strayed close to the highway on Wednesday evening.
Alarmed by the sudden appearance of the animals, authorities suspended vehicular movement from both directions.
Vehicles from Ramgarh were stopped near Mayatungri hill, while traffic from Ranchi was halted in the Kharabera stretch of the Chutupalu valley.
The highway remained closed for nearly an hour before the forest department’s quick response team safely drove the elephants back into the forest using flashlights, torches and sirens, allowing traffic to resume.
Officials warned that the situation remains grave, pointing out that at least six people have died in elephant-related incidents across Jharkhand in the past week, highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures to manage human-wildlife conflict in the state.
