Kotdwar: Elephant Dies After Being Hit by Shri Siddhabali Jan Shatabdi Express

Kotdwar | June 10, 2025

A tragic incident occurred near Kotdwar on Monday afternoon when an elephant was struck and killed by the Shri Siddhabali Jan Shatabdi Express, which had departed from Kotdwar railway station at 3:35 PM for Delhi. The accident happened just three kilometers from the station as the elephant was crossing the railway track.

Immediate Impact and Response

Following the collision, the train halted briefly at the spot. The loco pilot and guard reported the incident to Najibabad station and the Moradabad railway control room. The train then resumed its journey after a short delay.

Soon after the incident, officials from both the Forest Department and Railway Traffic arrived at the scene, including Ranger Sachin Sharma from the Kaudiya Forest Range of Bijnor Forest Division, and Railway Traffic Inspector P.K. Singh.

The elephant’s body was found lying in the bushes beside the railway track. Due to time constraints and poor lighting, the postmortem could not be conducted the same day. Authorities stated that the postmortem will be performed Tuesday morning, after which the body will be buried.

Pattern of Incidents and Railway Policy

This is not an isolated incident. In the past one and a half years, three elephants have been killed in similar train collisions in this region.

Interestingly, the railway authorities had already issued a speed caution of 35 km/h between kilometer markers 20–21, but this restriction is only applicable between 6 PM and 6 AM—indicating an assumption that elephants do not cross tracks during the day. This accident challenges that belief and highlights the need for all-day precautions in wildlife corridors.

Other Elephants Seen Nearby

Following the collision, two more elephants were seen wandering near the accident site. Though they couldn’t reach the deceased elephant’s body due to the presence of people, their visible distress added a heartbreaking dimension to the tragedy. Their proximity also posed a danger to nearby travelers along the highway.

A Call for Action

With recurring elephant deaths due to rail collisions, this incident raises urgent concerns about the wildlife safety protocols on railway routes through forest areas. Experts and environmentalists have long demanded more robust measures such as underpasses, fencing, automated detection systems, and round-the-clock speed regulations in wildlife-sensitive zones.

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As development and conservation clash in India’s rapidly expanding infrastructure landscape, such incidents are reminders of the fragile balance that needs to be maintained between progress and protection of wildlife.

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