In Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, an attempt to derail a fully loaded goods train was made by placing cement blocks on the tracks of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. The incident occurred on Sunday, and officials confirmed that the train hit the cement blocks but did not derail, preventing any serious damage.
Miscreants Place Cement Blocks on Tracks
According to a North Western Railway official, “Some miscreants put two cement blocks on the dedicated freight corridor on Sunday. A goods train hit them.” The blocks weighed around 70 kg each, and the incident occurred between Saradhna and Bangad stations on the Phulera-Ahmedabad section of the corridor. Authorities have launched an investigation, and a case has been registered to identify the culprits.
Similar Incident in Uttar Pradesh: Attempt to Derail Kalindi Express
This attempt comes just a day after a similar sabotage effort was reported in Uttar Pradesh. The Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express narrowly avoided a disaster when an LPG cylinder, along with a petrol bottle and matchboxes, was placed on the tracks near Kanpur.
LPG Cylinder Placed on Tracks
The incident took place on Sunday at around 8:20 p.m. when the Kalindi Express was traveling at high speed. A vigilant loco pilot noticed the cylinder and immediately applied emergency brakes, managing to bring the train to a stop. Though the train hit the cylinder, it knocked it off the tracks without causing significant damage. An FIR has been filed, and multiple agencies, including Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are investigating the matter.
Six Arrested in Connection with Kanpur Incident
In connection with the Kanpur case, the local police have detained six individuals, including two known criminals, for further questioning. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to study the incident and determine if there are any links to previous derailment attempts, including a recent one involving the Sabarmati Express in Kanpur.
Sabarmati Express Incident Under Investigation
Officials are also probing whether there are any similarities between this case and the Sabarmati Express derailment that occurred about 20 days ago in Kanpur. The Sabarmati Express derailed when its engine hit an object placed on the tracks, leading to the derailment of 20 coaches. Investigators are exploring the possibility of sabotage by anti-social elements.
Safety Concerns and Investigations
Both incidents have raised serious concerns about rail safety in India. Authorities are closely investigating to prevent future derailment attempts and ensure the safety of passengers and goods trains across the country.