Attempt to derail two trains thwarted in UP’s Hardoi

A potentially catastrophic attempt to derail two passenger trains, including the prestigious Rajdhani Express, was averted in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district on Monday evening, thanks to the vigilance of train loco pilots, police reported. The incidents, which targeted the Rajdhani Express and the Kathgodam Express, occurred between Dalelnagar and Umartali stations.

Unidentified individuals had fastened wooden blocks to the railway tracks using earthing wires at kilometre marker 1129/14. The loco pilot of the Rajdhani Express (20504), en route from Delhi to Dibrugarh, Assam, spotted the obstruction and promptly applied the emergency brakes. After removing the blocks, the pilot notified railway officials, police confirmed. A similar attempt to sabotage the Kathgodam Express (15044) was also foiled due to the quick response of its loco pilot.

Superintendent Neeraj Kumar Jadaun visited the site on Monday evening to oversee the response and issued directives for a thorough investigation. Teams from the Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force, and local police are now probing the incidents to identify the culprits and their motives.