GUWAHATI – A devastating collision between the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express (Train No. 20507 DN) and a herd of wild elephants resulted in the death of seven elephants and the derailment of the train’s locomotive and five coaches in the early hours of Saturday.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:17 AM on December 20, 2025, in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section under the Lumding Division of Northeast Frontier (N.F.) Railway. The site is located about 126 kilometers from Guwahati.
The Incident: A Desperate Attempt to Brake
According to N.F. Railway officials, the loco pilot spotted a herd of elephants on the tracks and immediately applied emergency brakes. However, the momentum of the train, combined with reports that the elephants charged toward the locomotive, led to a high-impact collision.
- Human Safety: Despite the severity of the derailment, railway authorities confirmed there were no casualties or injuries among the passengers.
- Wildlife Toll: Forest department officials confirmed that seven elephants were killed. One calf was rescued with severe injuries and is currently receiving urgent veterinary treatment.
- Unmarked Zone: Officials noted that the stretch where the accident happened is not a designated elephant corridor, though local residents reported seeing a herd of eight members in the vicinity recently.
Immediately following the crash, Accident Relief Trains (ART) and senior officials, including the General Manager of N.F. Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Lumding, rushed to the site to oversee restoration.
For Passenger Families: The railway has activated the following helpline numbers at Guwahati Railway Station:
- 0361-2731621
- 0361-2731622
- 0361-2731623
Restoration and Ongoing Concerns
While repair work is underway, all train services on this line have been diverted via the UP line.
This tragedy has reignited the debate over human-wildlife conflict in India’s northeast. Environmental activists are calling for stricter speed controls and advanced AI-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to be expanded to non-corridor areas, citing that heavy fog and lack of alert systems continue to make these “silent” zones death traps for wildlife.
The wildlife department has launched a post-accident analysis and an investigation to determine if further preventative measures can be implemented in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section.
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