AGARTALA: A mature elephant was critically injured after being hit by a train in Khowai district, Tripura, on Saturday night.
Officials reported that the animal was found bleeding extensively following the collision.
District Forest Officer (DFO) Akshay Balu Bhorde confirmed that the elephant was given immediate medical attention, and a veterinary team was sent to the scene for further treatment.
“The incident occurred in Champlai when a local train traveling from Agartala to Dharmanagar collided with the elephant as it was part of a herd migrating between habitats,” Bhorde explained.
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The DFO noted that the train, which was expected to maintain a reduced speed of 20 km/h due to it passing through an elephant corridor, was likely moving at around 50 km/h when the accident took place.
“The higher speed likely contributed to the severity of the elephant’s injuries,” Bhorde said.
The elephant sustained serious injuries, including fractures to both of its back legs, leaving it immobile.
In response to the incident, Northeast Frontier Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, stated that the loco pilot was unaware of the collision and no formal reports had been made.
“The loco pilot was careful while crossing the elephant corridor, and we have launched a full investigation to understand the exact circumstances,” Sharma added.
The forest officer also pointed out a similar incident earlier in February, when another elephant was killed by a train in the same area.
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“Following that incident, we had requested railway authorities to ensure trains travel at a speed limit of 20 km/h when passing through the elephant corridor between Teliamura and Mugiakami. This recent accident could have been prevented had the train adhered to the recommended speed limit,” Bhorde stated.
Investigations are currently ongoing to determine the cause of the accident, with authorities considering additional measures to safeguard elephants in the region.
