Lagatar24 Desk
Surat: Another attempt to derail a train was foiled near Kim Railway Station in Surat, Gujarat, where fishplates and keys were found removed from the UP line track by unidentified individuals. Western Railway’s Vadodara Divisionconfirmed that the obstruction on the tracks had been cleared swiftly, and train services were restored without major delays.
According to Western Railway officials, unknown persons had tampered with the fishplates—specialized rolled sections used to connect railway rails—and some keys, placing them back on the same track near Kim Railway Station, leading to a brief suspension of train movements.
“An unknown person opened the fish plate and removed some keys from the UP line track, placing them on the same track near Kim Railway Station, which led to the suspension of train movement. The service was quickly restored,” officials from Western Railway’s Vadodara Division said in a statement.
Quick Action by Railway Staff
The railway ground staff acted swiftly to address the situation. The obstructions were cleared in time, ensuring the smooth resumption of train services. Fishplates, which derive their name from their fish-shaped fitting, are crucial components used to link railway rails together, making this sabotage attempt particularly dangerous.
Recent Incidents of Train Sabotage Attempts
This is not the first instance of attempted train derailment in recent weeks. On September 8, an attempt was made in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, where cement blocks were placed on the tracks of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. Fortunately, the goods train struck the blocks without causing serious damage, and authorities are investigating the matter.
Another alarming incident occurred on the same day in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, where the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express narrowly avoided a major accident after an LPG cylinder was placed on the tracks. Quick thinking by the loco pilot prevented a disaster, and a subsequent search revealed a bottle of petrol and matchboxes at the scene, indicating a possible sabotage attempt.
Investigations Underway
Both incidents have raised concerns about the potential involvement of anti-social elements or sabotage attempts. Authorities, including Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are actively investigating these cases, with FIRs lodged for further action.
Last month, the Sabarmati Express derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur after hitting an unknown object on the tracks, further fueling concerns about ongoing attempts to sabotage train services across the country.
Indian Railways continues to take preventive measures and strengthen its safety protocols to avoid such dangerous incidents and ensure the safety of passengers and goods across the nation.
