“Gujarat: Attempted Train Derailment Prevented as Fishplates Discovered Missing from Tracks”

In a concerning incident in Gujarat, another attempt to derail a train was thwarted when unknown individuals removed fishplates and keys from the railway track near Kim Railway Station in Surat. The Western Railway’s Vadodara Division reported that this malicious act led to a temporary halt in train services, which were quickly restored after the obstruction was cleared.

According to officials, the perpetrators removed the fishplates and some keys from the UP line track and placed them back onto the same track, creating a dangerous situation for incoming trains. Railway ground staff acted swiftly to address the issue, ensuring the safety of passengers and allowing train movement to resume shortly after.

Fishplates, which are specialized rolled sections used to connect railway rails end-to-end with fish bolts, are critical components of railway infrastructure. The term “fishplate” is derived from the shape of this fitting, resembling a fish.

This incident is part of a troubling trend of attempted train derailments in recent weeks. On September 8, a loaded goods train in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district narrowly avoided disaster when two cement blocks, each weighing about 70 kg, were placed on the tracks of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. Fortunately, the train struck the blocks without causing any serious incidents. Authorities have launched an investigation into this incident.

In another alarming event on the same day, the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express in Uttar Pradesh was saved from a potential disaster when an alert loco pilot stopped the train after it encountered an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks. Police later discovered a bottle of petrol and matchboxes nearby, indicating a deliberate attempt at sabotage. An FIR has been filed, and various investigative agencies, including the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad and the NIA, are now involved.

Last month, the Sabarmati Express derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur after its engine struck an object placed on the track. Officials are investigating possible connections to anti-social elements in this incident as well.

Sources By Agencies

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