‘Sabotage Averted’: Rajdhani Derailment Bid Foiled in UP’s Hardoi, Police Suspect Foul Play

New Delhi: A major railway tragedy was narrowly avoided in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district after two separate attempts to derail passenger trains, including the high-profile Rajdhani Express, were thwarted thanks to the quick thinking of alert loco pilots, police said on Tuesday.

According to officials, the first incident occurred on Monday evening between Dalelnagar and Umartali stations, where unknown miscreants had tied large wooden blocks to the railway track using earthing wire — a deliberate act of sabotage. The obstruction was spotted at kilometre marker 1129/14 by the loco pilot of Train No. 20504 Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, en route from Delhi to Assam.

Demonstrating exceptional vigilance, the pilot brought the train to a halt using emergency brakes and quickly removed the obstruction. He then alerted the railway control room, triggering a security response from multiple railway and police agencies.

Just minutes later, another train — the Kathgodam Express (15044) — approached the same section of track. Thanks to prior alerts and the alertness of its loco pilot, a second potential disaster was also averted.

“Had it not been for the timely action of the loco pilots, we could have faced a serious mishap,” said Hardoi Superintendent of Police Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, who visited the site shortly after the incident. “We have launched a joint investigation involving the GRP (Government Railway Police), RPF (Railway Protection Force), and local police to identify the culprits behind this sabotage attempt.”

Authorities have not ruled out any motives, and sabotage is being treated as a strong possibility. Forensic teams are also examining the wire used and other material recovered from the site.

Railway officials are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby stations and level crossings, and a high alert has been issued across the region for any suspicious activity on railway tracks.