Train Kills 4 Elephants in Assam

The tragedy occurred on the tracks at Walengdisa, a forested area between Diphu and Doldoli areas, about 250 km from here. The petroleumloaded train pushed the elephants on the tracks for 1.5 km, mutilating the bodies. It was coming from Numaligarh and headed for Mughalsarai.

North-East Frontier Railway officials said the driver couldn't spot the jumbos while they were crossing the tracks since fog had reduced visibility. “We follow all rules while driving through elephant corridors. The driver was constantly blowing the horn. Several places are marked ‘elephant crossing zones' to alert drivers and the speed limit in such zones is 15 km per hour. Had there been no fog, the accident might have been averted," NFR chief public relations officer S. Hajong said.