Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on December 20 expressed deep sorrow over the death of seven elephants after a Rajdhani Express train rammed into a herd in Nagaon district, calling the incident a tragic loss of wildlife. In a statement shared on social media, the Chief Minister said the state government was “deeply saddened” by the incident and confirmed that he has directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed enquiry into the circumstances leading to the accident.
Emphasising the recurring risks faced by wildlife in the state, Sarma underscored the urgent need to strengthen protection mechanisms along elephant corridors, particularly during periods of low visibility when such accidents are more likely. He said enhanced coordination and preventive measures are crucial to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
The accident occurred early Saturday morning in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway, when the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants attempting to cross the tracks. The impact was severe enough to derail the locomotive and five coaches of the high-speed train. Railway authorities confirmed that no passengers were injured in the incident.
Local residents and forest officials said the herd consisted of around eight elephants, including adults and calves. Seven elephants—three adults and four calves—died on the spot, while one calf was critically injured and taken for emergency veterinary treatment. The accident site is located about 126 kilometres from Guwahati, in an area known for frequent elephant movement across railway lines.
Following the derailment, accident relief trains, senior railway officials and emergency teams were rushed to the site to manage rescue operations, clear debris and restore the damaged track. Forest Department personnel also reached the area to assess the extent of wildlife loss and assist in caring for the injured calf.
Railway sources said train movement on the route was severely disrupted due to the presence of elephant carcasses, damaged coaches and scattered debris, affecting rail connectivity to Upper Assam and other northeastern destinations. Restoration work continued for several hours as teams worked to normalise traffic.
Passengers travelling on the affected Rajdhani Express were temporarily accommodated in vacant berths in other coaches. Officials said additional coaches would be attached once the train reaches Guwahati to ensure all passengers can continue their journey to New Delhi comfortably.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the alarming number of elephant deaths along railway tracks in Assam, where critical wildlife corridors intersect with busy rail routes. Conservationists have long advocated for measures such as speed restrictions, improved warning systems and closer coordination between railway and forest authorities. As the enquiry begins, the tragedy highlights the pressing challenge of balancing infrastructure development with ecological responsibility in one of India’s most wildlife-rich regions.
