A passenger train traveling near Raghuraj Singh station in Uttar Pradesh was briefly halted on Sunday evening after a heap of soil was found dumped on the rail tracks. The loco pilot spotted the obstruction just in time, bringing the train to a stop before any potential accident occurred, local authorities confirmed.
According to police, the incident took place on a section of the tracks near Raghuraj Singh, where construction work is ongoing in the vicinity. The soil was reportedly dumped onto the tracks by a dumper driver involved in road construction work. The driver, after depositing the load of soil, fled the scene, leaving the pile directly on the railway tracks. This obstruction caused the shuttle train traveling from Raebareli to come to a sudden halt, preventing any damage or derailment.
SHO Devendra Bhadoria, who is overseeing the case, stated that local residents reported ongoing road construction in the area. The work involves the frequent use of dumpers to transport soil, particularly during nighttime hours when the roads are less crowded. Bhadoria explained that it was likely a result of this activity that the soil was accidentally deposited on the railway tracks.
“Because of the dumped soil, a small pile blocked the track, which led to the shuttle train being stopped for safety. Fortunately, the loco pilot was vigilant and spotted the obstruction before the train reached it,” Bhadoria said.
After the discovery, railway workers and local authorities quickly responded, removing the soil from the tracks and ensuring the safe resumption of rail traffic on the route. Train services were restored shortly after the tracks were cleared, allowing other trains to pass through without any further disruptions.
The police are investigating the matter and searching for the dumper driver responsible for the careless act. Authorities are also in discussions with the road construction company to ensure that proper precautions are taken to avoid such incidents in the future. The swift actions of the loco pilot and the quick response of railway staff were praised, as their efforts prevented what could have been a serious accident.
Incidents like this raise concerns about safety measures during construction activities near railway lines, and authorities are now looking into more stringent protocols to prevent future occurrences.
