India’s railway system, one of the largest in the world, is often referred to as the lifeline of the nation. However, recent events have cast a shadow over its safety, with several alarming incidents involving sabotage attempts on train tracks. From detonators placed under Army trains to gas cylinders found on train tracks, these acts of sabotage pose a threat to the infrastructure and the lives of passengers and personnel.
Detonators And Gas Cylinders Found On Railway Tracks
Recent incidents involving railway tracks in India have raised significant concerns over safety and security. One of the most alarming incidents occurred on September 18, near the Sagphata railway station in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district. Multiple detonators, typically used by railways to signal during foggy conditions, were placed on the tracks as a special Army train from Jammu and Kashmir to Karnataka.
When the train passed over the detonators, the sound triggered the locomotive pilot to apply emergency brakes and alert authorities, as per the News 18 reports. Investigations revealed that these detonators were expired, and their presence on the track is suspicious. The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), railroads, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and local police.
Explosives And Sabotage Spark Nationwide Alert
In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, there have been three separate attempts to derail trains this month. On September 22, a vacant petrol canister was discovered on the tracks close to the Prempur train station. A goods train loco pilot spotted the cylinder and applied emergency brakes, preventing a possible disaster.
On September 9, the Kalindi Express hit a gas cylinder placed on the tracks but fortunately avoided a derailment. On September 21, railway officials averted another train derailment near Kim Railway Station in Surat, Gujarat. Fish plates and keys, which are essential components that hold the tracks together, were removed from the railway line, according to News 18 reports.
These incidents highlight significant security risks to India’s railway network. Authorities, including the RPF, GRP, ATS, and NIA, are working to identify those responsible for these dangerous actions. These repeated acts of sabotage on railway tracks in different regions of India pose serious threats to the safety of train passengers and the integrity of the rail network.
Cover Image Courtesy: Dilip Ghosh/X