Officials claimed on Tuesday that the loco pilots’ awareness and prompt action prevented a significant effort to derail two express trains, including the Rajdhani Express, in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi area.

When the loco pilot of the Rajdhani Express, which was headed for New Delhi, saw an odd blockage on the track on the evening of May 19, the first incident happened between Dalel Nagar and Umrauli stations.

According to authorities, criminals had fastened a wooden block, known as a gutkha, to the downline’s earthing cable. The train came to a stop and a possible catastrophe was avoided when the pilot instantly engaged the brakes.

Senior railway authorities were notified and the blockage was swiftly cleared by railway staff. However, criminals attacked once again before the situation could completely stabilize.

A second attempt was made to derail the Kathgodam Express on the same section shortly after the Rajdhani Express had passed without incident. Its loco pilot’s alertness prevented this attempt as well; he saw the impediment, which this time was said to be made of wood and iron fragments, and halted the train in time.

Following notification, members of the local police, Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Government Railway Police (GRP) arrived at the scene and began an investigation.

The GRP had notified the Kachhauna police station about suspicious activities on the rails between Kachhauna and Sandila, according to Praveen Kumar, the Baghauli Circle Officer (CO). In response to the tip, top officers and teams from both police stations inspected the location.

A joint investigative team was established to look into the event in response to orders from higher authorities.

In the area, this is not the first effort of this kind. Unknown criminals have attempted to disrupt train operations in Hardoi on many occasions in recent weeks.

In one case, iron bolts were discovered positioned on lines close to the Hardoi railway station’s outside signal.

A large wooden block was found on the line close to Dilawar Nagar in another incident. Timely discovery avoided any disaster in both circumstances.

Police have not yet made any arrests in relation to these sabotage attempts, despite their persistent efforts.