Police Investigate Attempt to Derail Kalindi Express in Kanpur; LPG Cylinder Found on Tracks

An attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express, a train travelling from Prayagraj to Bhiwani, by placing an LPG cylinder on the railway tracks in the Shivrajpur area of Kanpur, police said on Monday, September 9, 2024.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning, September 8, when the train was on its way to Bhiwani. According to the police, the loco pilot spotted the LPG cylinder on the tracks and immediately applied the emergency brakes. The train hit the cylinder before coming to a halt, and the impact threw the cylinder away from the tracks. The loco pilot then informed the guard and the gateman about the incident.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra said the train was stationed at the incident site for about 20 minutes. It was later stopped again at Bilhaur station for investigation.

Senior officials received information about the incident around 8:20 a.m. on Sunday and rushed to the site. They launched an investigation into the matter. A forensics team was also called in, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is conducting a parallel probe.

Investigators recovered the damaged LPG cylinder from the spot. They also found a bottle of petrol and matchboxes, Mr. Chandra said. The recovery of petrol and matchboxes suggests that the cylinder may have been intended to be set on fire or cause an explosion, though police have not yet confirmed this. The forensics team is examining the evidence to determine the exact nature of the attempt.

“Efforts are being made to identify the culprits and they will be dealt with sternly,” the ACP said.

The Kalindi Express is a daily train service that connects Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to Bhiwani in Haryana. The Shivrajpur area is located near Kanpur, a major railway junction in Uttar Pradesh. The incident has raised concerns about railway security, as placing obstructions on tracks can lead to derailments and catastrophic accidents.

The alertness of the loco pilot averted a major tragedy. No injuries have been reported in the incident. The train did not derail, and the cylinder was moved away from the tracks by the impact. Had the cylinder remained on the tracks, it could have caused significant damage to the train and its passengers.

Multiple agencies, including the RPF and local police, are working to piece together the sequence of events. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas and questioning local residents. They are also looking into whether there are any patterns to similar incidents in the region. The motive behind the attempt is not yet known, and police have not ruled out any possibility.

Railway safety has been a subject of concern in recent months, with several incidents of obstructions being placed on tracks reported across the country. The government has emphasised the need for vigilance and has urged citizens to report any suspicious activity near railway tracks. The RPF has also increased patrolling in sensitive areas.

Railway security is a critical concern in India, where millions of passengers travel by train every day. The RPF and local police work together to ensure the safety of passengers and railway property. Incidents like this highlight the need for constant vigilance and quick response.

The government has taken several measures to strengthen railway security, including the installation of CCTV cameras at major stations and the deployment of additional security personnel. However, ensuring the safety of tracks across the vast railway network remains a challenge.

The investigation is ongoing. Police have not named any suspects so far. Further updates are expected as the probe progresses.