Attempt To Derail Rajdhani And Kathgodam Express Trains Foiled By Alert Loco Pilots In Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi: Police

An attempt to derail two passenger trains, including the Rajdhani Express, was prevented in Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Hardoi district on Monday (19 May) evening, Hindustan Times reported.

The loco pilot of Rajdhani Express (20504), travelling from Delhi to Dibrugarh in Assam, applied emergency brakes after spotting an obstruction on the tracks between Dalelnagar and Umartali stations at kilometre marker 1129/14. 

Police said the obstruction consisted of wooden blocks tied with earthing wire. The pilot removed the blocks and alerted railway authorities.

Shortly after, a second attempt was made to target the Kathgodam Express (15044), which was following the Rajdhani. This attempt was also foiled due to the vigilance of the train’s pilot, police added.

Superintendent of Police Neeraj Kumar Jadaun visited the scene and issued directives for further action. He confirmed that the Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force, and local police are jointly investigating the incidents.

Similar derailment attempts were witnessed in the last year across several cities, including UP's Kanpur and Ajmer in Rajasthan.

In Kanpur too, a major accident was narrowly avoided in September when the Prayagraj-Bhiwani Kalindi Express struck an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks as the driver applied emergency brakes.

Authorities had labeled the incident an "attempt to derail the train." The train was traveling at high speed when it hit the object, but the cylinder was dislodged upon impact, preventing a derailment.