Assam: A Rajdhani Express in Assam stopped its journey to allow a herd of wild elephants to safely cross a railway track, in a striking contrast to a tragic incident involving the same train just seven months ago. The latest incident took place near Hawaipur in Assam’s Hojai district, where a herd was spotted crossing the tracks as the train approached.
According to reports, forest personnel noticed the elephants and immediately alerted railway authorities. The information was passed on to the loco pilot and the Lumding Railway Control Room, allowing the train to be brought to a halt before it reached the herd. The elephants were given enough time to cross the railway track without any interference.
The train remained stationary until the entire herd had safely crossed the tracks. Once the elephants had moved away from the railway line, the Rajdhani Express resumed its journey. The incident has been seen as an example of timely coordination between railway officials and forest personnel to prevent a possible wildlife tragedy.
ALSO READ: Elephants Trample 2 Women To Death In Jharkhand’s Ramgarh
The incident is particularly significant because it comes around seven months after a devastating collision involving the same Rajdhani Express. In December 2025, the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants in Assam’s Hojai district. The train was reportedly travelling at around 100 kilometres per hour when the collision took place.
The accident had a tragic outcome. Seven elephants were killed on the spot, while an injured elephant later died, taking the total number of deaths to eight. The collision also affected the train, with the engine and several coaches being derailed.
The two incidents, occurring within months of each other, highlight the risks faced by elephants while crossing railway tracks in Assam. The state is home to a large elephant population, and railway lines often pass through or close to forest areas that form part of their natural movement routes.
The latest incident, however, ended very differently. Instead of a collision, there was a halt. Instead of loss of wildlife, the herd was able to cross the tracks safely.
The episode also underlines the importance of early detection, communication and quick decision-making when trains pass through areas frequented by wildlife. A few moments of alertness can make a major difference when a large animal herd is on the tracks.
For the Rajdhani Express, the latest journey became a reminder of a tragedy that happened only months earlier — but this time, history did not repeat itself. The train stopped, the elephants crossed safely, and the journey continued.