Nine buffaloes were run over by the Jaipur-Bandra train at 1.12 p.m. near Narangi Phata in Virar on Tuesday.
According to the Western Railway officials, the incident took place when the train was approaching Virar station. A senior railway official said, “A herd of nine buffaloes suddenly came in the way of the train and got run over. It took nearly four hours for railway officials to remove the carcasses which were strewn all over the tracks. The engine also was damaged in the accident.”
Railway officials said that they did not call the accident relief train because they thought that it was a minor incident. The accident relief train would also have to be brought from either Valsad or Bandra. An official said, “There are no such trains at any of the stations in between these stations. The relief train carries cutters and other equipment which enables clearing of tracks immediately.”
The delay in clearing the tracks caused express trains to be diverted for nearly three hours. Officials said necessary arrangements were made to help passengers who were on the Jaipur-Bandra train.
The authorities had to finally take the help of the fire brigade to remove the carcasses stuck to the wheels and tracks. An official said, “The bodies were stuck between the bio-toilet and the tracks. Seven were stuck beneath coaches and two got entangled in the engine. The train could resume its journey only at 5.15 p.m.”
Mukul Jain, Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway, said, “We conduct exercises to tell owners of cattle to keep them away from tracks. It is unfortunate that this incident took place. We will be lodging an FIR against the owner. He will be booked under the Railway Property (unlawful possession) Act, 1966.
