A heartbreaking incident in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has once again highlighted the danger elephants face near railway tracks. A tusker that came from the nearby forest lost its life after being hit by a speeding train late Saturday night. This elephant incident has once again raised a major concern in Odisha. Keep reading to know more details.
Elephant Gets Killed By A Speeding Train In Odisha
Late Saturday night, a tragic accident took place near the Jogal Railway Station close to Betanoti in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, where a tusker lost its life after a train hit it on the tracks. The accident happened around 11:30 pm. The impact of the collision killed the elephant on the spot. Train movement paused for some time. Railway staff and forest officials reached the site soon after, reported Odisha TV.
Locals said the elephant had come from a nearby forest area. It crossed into the railway section between two gated crossings before Jogal station. Villagers noticed the tusker on the tracks, and they tried to guide it away. However, the gates on both sides were closed, so the elephant got trapped in between. A train then arrived at high speed and hit the tusker before anyone could do anything. People from nearby villages rushed to the spot. They described the incident as extremely painful and said the animal had no escape route.
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Safety Measures For Elephants
The tragic death of an elephant has once again raised a major concern in Odisha. Elephant deaths near railway lines are rising in the state. Many forest stretches intersect with railway tracks. Wildlife experts claim elephants use these paths regularly to move between their habitats. So, they come very close to human infrastructure. Sometimes they cross roads or cross railway lines, and during this, a small miscalculation can turn fatal.
Conservationists are requesting authorities to take stronger measures. They want better coordination between Indian Railways and forest officials. Installing real-time monitoring systems in vulnerable zones would help them track the movements of elephants. As per Pragativadi, they suggest that elephant corridors should be clearly identified and marked. They want trains to slow down in these sections, especially at night.
We hope that these types of accidents never repeat in the future.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Kyslynskyy (Representative Image)