Attempt to Derail Train Near Botad: 4-Foot Rail Piece Found on Track, Okha-Bhavnagar Train Collides, Investigation Underway
Four days ago, a serious attempt to derail a train near KIM station in Surat was uncovered. Today, yet another incident of a train derailment attempt has come to light. Near Kundli village in Botad, someone placed a 4-foot high piece of iron rail on the railway track late at night.
As a result, the engine of a train bound for Bhavnagar came to a halt on the railway track due to the obstruction. Fortunately, the train remained safely on the tracks, saving thousands of lives and resulting in no casualties. Following the incident, railway authorities, including the Botad SP, DYSP, and railway police, arrived at the scene.
Dog Squad Deployed for Investigation
The police have initiated an investigation amid concerns that an attempt to derail a train may have occurred. Preliminary details reveal that pieces of iron were found on the railway track.
Currently, a team comprising Botad police, LCB, and SOG is conducting the investigation into how this incident unfolded, utilizing the assistance of a dog squad and drone cameras.
Old Rail Piece Positioned on Track
Regarding this incident, Botad district SP K.F. Barodiya stated that early in the morning, as passenger train number 19210 was traveling from Okha to Bhavnagar, someone had placed an old rail piece approximately four feet long in the middle of the railway track, about two kilometers from Kundli village within the jurisdiction of Ramapur police station in Botad district.
As a result, the engine of the Okha-Bhavnagar train collided with the obstruction, causing the train to come to a halt. Following this, the railway police and railway department informed the Ranpur police, and teams from LCB and SOG are currently conducting an investigation into the matter.
23 Train Accidents in Two Months in the Country
This is the 23rd attempt to derail a train in the country within the last two months. Previously, on September 20, tampering with the railway track occurred in Surat. The investigation of that case has been handed over to the NIA. Additionally, on Saturday night, the engine of the Muzaffarpur-Pune special train derailed at Muzaffarpur Junction in Bihar. This accident happened when the train began to move forward due to a lack of signal.
In light of the increasing attempts to derail trains, the central government is planning to amend the Railway Act. A notification regarding this is expected to be issued soon. This amendment will include provisions for charges of treason for orchestrating accidents, with penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty.
