Bathinda: A major train tragedy was averted as Punjab Police recovered nine iron rods from the tracks of Delhi-Bathinda Express. This comes a day after miscreants had removed fishplates and keys from tracks near Surat.
The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Punjab's Bathinda recovered nine iron rods placed on the railway tracks on Sunday. "9 iron rods have been recovered from the spot. Government Railway Police has registered a case against an unknown persons and further investigation is being done," said Shavinder Kumar, Investigating Officer, Government Railway Police, Bathinda.
#WATCH | Bathinda, Punjab: Iron rods were recovered from the Bathinda-Delhi railway track in Bathinda yesterday”…9 iron rods have been recovered from the spot. GRP (Government Railway Police) has registered a case against an unknown person and further investigation is being… pic.twitter.com/2FerTtAqrO
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024
Not The First Attempt
This is not the first attempt and several suspicious items have been found along the railway tracks across the country. The investigating agencies claim they could be part of conspiracies to derail trains and over two dozen incidents of objects being placed on railway tracks have been reported in past one year.
On Sunday, a trackman found fishplates and keys removed from the tracks near Kosamba Junction railway station in Surat. The incident was reported to the station master and RPF (Railway Protection Force), and the track was quickly repaired to ensure that train operations were not disrupted.
Earlier on September 18, a six-meter iron rod was placed across the railway tracks at Rudrapur City Station. At 10:18 pm, the loco pilot of train number 12091, traveling from Bilaspur Road towards Rudrapur in Uttarakhand, spotted the iron rod on the tracks between km 43/10-11.
Reacting swiftly, the driver applied the emergency brakes, halting the train in time to avoid a potential disaster. After ensuring the area was safe, the crew removed the pole and resumed the journey without further incident.
Earlier this month, cement blocks were found on tracks of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. A good train hit the blocks between Saradhna and Bangad stations, however, no untoward incident took place.
Further, in another derailment attempt, an LPG cylinder was found on the railway tracks to derail the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. However, the driver spotted the cylinder and halted the train. The probe agencies later found a bottle and matchbox near the tracks.
An object, placed by miscreants on the tracks near Kanpur, had led to derailment of over 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express last month. Around 93 cm long rusty rail chunk was placed by an unknown person on the active track which caused the derailment, revealed the FIR. Another such incident was reported after a train hit a iron rod in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Agencies Probe 'Sabotage' Angle
Amid rising incidents, Railway Minister Ashwini Minister had said that investigations are being conducted in the cases indicating sabotage. “It’s a very sensitive issue, and we are conducting detailed inquiries into each and every incident. In several cases, a disturbing trend is being observed, which must be taken very seriously," said Vaishnaw.
Earlier this week, Home Minister Amit Shah said any conspiracy to cause railway accidents will not last long and the government will soon unveil an initiative for the protection of the 1.10 lakh km railway network across the country.
"As far as accidents are concerned, we will investigate the root cause of this. Whatever the reason, the government is committed to addressing the issue. If this is a conspiracy, it will not last long. If there are gaps, they will be plugged," Shah said with Vaishnaw by his side.
Shah said the CBI, NIA, Railway Police and the Home Ministry were preparing a scheme for the protection of the railway network to ensure there is no sabotage.