Attempt to derail Rajdhani and Kathgodam Express foiled by alert loco pilots in UP’s Hardoi

An attempt to sabotage two major passenger trains in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district was narrowly avoided on Monday evening, thanks to the alertness of their loco pilots. Police confirmed that unidentified miscreants had deliberately placed obstructions on the tracks in a bid to cause derailments.

The first incident involved the Rajdhani Express (20504), which was travelling from Delhi to Dibrugarh in Assam. As it approached kilometre marker 1129/14 between Dalelnagar and Umartali stations, the loco pilot spotted wooden blocks tied with earthing wire to the tracks. He immediately applied the emergency brake, removed the obstruction, and informed railway authorities.

Shortly after this, another obstruction was discovered on the same route targeting the Kathgodam Express (15044), which was following the Rajdhani. This potential derailment was also averted due to the vigilance of the train operator.

Hardoi Superintendent of Police Neeraj Kumar Jadaun visited the site and ordered an investigation. Teams from the Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Force, and local police are currently probing the incident. Authorities suspect sabotage and are examining all possible leads.

In a similar incident earlier this month in Jaunpur district, two men were arrested for attempting to derail a train using a steel drum. Their plan was also thwarted by RPF personnel who spotted and removed the obstruction in time. The accused confessed and were booked under sections 151 and 153 of the Railways Act.