Rajdhani Express Halted in Assam as Elephant Herd Crosses Railway Track Safely

Alert staff from Assam’s Lanka Range immediately coordinated with the Down Rajdhani Express loco pilot and Lumding railway control, leading to the train being stopped at kilometer 167/8.

This morning, alert staff from Lanka Range of @assamforest along with the loco-pilot of 167/8 down Rajdhani Express with support from the control room in-charge, Lumding Station under @RailNf averted a major accident from happening involving elephants on the Habipur section. pic.twitter.com/0KDAvD9HQ8

— Kaushik Barua (@Airawat) August 19, 2026

The coordinated action allowed the elephant herd to cross the railway track safely without incident. Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah later shared a video of the operation and praised the teamwork between the forest staff, railway authorities and the loco pilot.

Assam has about 6,000 wild elephants, making coordination and vigilance crucial in areas where railway tracks pass through elephant habitats. The incident also highlights the importance of measures such as wildlife corridors and elevated rail sections to reduce the risk of encounters between trains and elephant herds.

The safe crossing in Hawaipur underscores how timely coordination between forest and railway personnel can help prevent potentially dangerous encounters involving wildlife and trains.