A special patrolling squad will now ensure the safety of railway tracks in Uttar Pradesh (UP). With a surge in suspected sabotage and derailment attempts, the Railways, in coordination with UP police, is all set to launch a special patrolling drive to keep anti-social elements off the tracks and enhance overall safety. In the past 50 days, UP has witnessed over half a dozen alleged derailment bids. In the majority of cases, UP police have recovered liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, iron rods, boulders, and other foreign objects from the railway tracks.
“Though as of now nothing suspicious has been recovered from the railway tracks in our section, on a precautionary basis we are going to launch intensive patrolling,” Devansh Shukla, senior divisional security commissioner, Railway Protection Force (RPF) Lucknow, Northern Railways (NR), told News18.
Northern Railways (NR) is one of the zones that covers UP. Other parts of the state are covered by North Eastern Railways (NER) and Northern Central Railways (NCR).
Joining forces
Shukla said they are already in touch with the UP police and are going to launch special patrolling along the railway tracks, especially at the sensitive points to keep a check on such “derailment bids”.
“Other than the involvement of the officers from UP police and RPF, we are also planning to rope in the patrolling staff of Railways which would further smoothen the coordination and would help in further investigation,” he added.
Involving locals
Similarly, North Eastern Railways (NER), another zone which covers UP, has intensified safety measures too. NER has launched a joint operation in which the Government Railway Police (GRP) and RPF have not only intensified the security of the trains but also along the railway tracks. As part of the drive, the teams are also creating awareness among the people who reside in the colonies established along the railway tracks.
“In response to recent incidents, railway line patrolling has intensified. RPF and GRP teams are identifying sensitive areas and implementing special surveillance. Residents near railway tracks are being contacted and alerted, with authorities urging them to report any suspicious activity immediately. These measures aim to enhance vigilance and ensure the safety of the railway network,” said Pankaj Kumar Singh, CPRO, NER, Gorakhpur.
Track fencing to ensure safe train operations
NER is also carrying out fencing along the railway tracks, which officials say would further ensure safety. “The fencing is being done on the section from Gorakhpur to Barabanki, an around 200 km stretch. Under the move, a 1.5 metre ‘W’ metal fencing is being installed along the section. The fencing aims to check trespassing and ensure safe train operation. The fencing is expected to be completed by the end of 2026,” said Mahesh Gupta, Public Relations Officer, Lucknow Division, NER.
Other than NER and NR, NCR too has intensified patrolling along the railway tracks.
Prempur incident
The most recent suspected derailment attempt was made on September 22, when a 5 kg gas cylinder was placed on the railway tracks near UP’s Prempur station. However, the loco pilot of a goods train applied the emergency brakes in time after he spotted the cylinder and a tragedy was avoided.
“A goods train going from Kanpur towards Prayagraj was stopped using the emergency brakes after the driver spotted a gas cylinder lying on the tracks, at Prempur Station at 5.50 am today (September 22). Railway IOW (Inspector of work), security and other teams examined the cylinder and removed it from the tracks. Upon inspection, it was found that the 5-litre cylinder was empty. Directions have been given to investigate the matter,” the CPRO of North Central Railway said in a statement.
Second case in a fortnight
Kanpur police commissioner Akhil Kumar said that the motive of sabotage cannot be ruled out in the incident. This was the second such incident within a fortnight. On the night of September 8, an alleged attempt was made to derail the Bhiwani-bound Kalindi Express (14117) in Kanpur Nagar district. The locomotive hit a full LPG cylinder placed on the tracks between Barrajpur and Utripura, and a Molotov cocktail was discovered nearby. Kanpur police have not made any significant breakthroughs in the case so far.
String of incidents
UP has witnessed a series of suspected sabotage attempts on railway operations, which has raised serious safety concerns. Since August, at least six similar incidents have been reported. On September 16, the Delhi-bound Swatantrata Senani Express (12561) struck a wooden log on the tracks between Ghazipur Ghat and Ghazipur City, dragging it for nearly half a kilometre before stopping. The train was travelling at 100 kmph, and the collision was unavoidable even after applying emergency brakes.
In another incident on September 10, three men placed gravel on the tracks and pelted stones at the Prayagraj-Ballia passenger train near Ghazipur. They were arrested the next day. Similarly, on August 24, two men, including a farmer leader’s son, were caught allegedly attempting to derail the Kasganj-Farrukhabad passenger train by placing a wooden log on the tracks.
On August 17, the Sabarmati Express derailed near Kanpur after colliding with a rail chunk deliberately placed on the tracks, highlighting the ongoing threat to railway safety.
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