Buffaloes pose major threat to trains

By P.Oppili

CHENNAI, AUG. 1. Grazing of cattle heads close to the railway track is causing concern to the railway authorities and the police.

In Chennai division alone, on average six to seven heads of cattle were run over by trains in two months, according to railway sources.

In the last couple of months, nearly six cases of cattle heads run over by trains were reported in the broad gauge section. The number would be higher in the metre gauge section.

During the first half of July, two cases was reported. The first accident occurred between the Athipattu and Ennore railway stations, in which 19 cattle heads were run over by an EMU. The motor coach derailed and the train suffered a detention for more than an hour, affecting the movement of other trains. In the second accident near Dooravarichatram, a Tiruvananthapuram-bound express train killed a few cattle heads. The train was detained for about an hour. Within a week in the last month, accidents occurred at Sulurpet, Dooravarichatram and Vaniyambadi.

The situation worsens when some body parts get into interiors of the engine. The train could not be operated immediately. Only after the arrival of another engine, could the services resume.

It is the responsibility of both the RPF and the Government Railway Police (GRP) to initiate action against the cattle owners. Lack of severe action has added to the woes of the travelling public, sources feel.

Refuting this charge, RPF and GRP sources said as soon as cattle heads were run over, the shepherds would escape, fearing police action. Similarly, no one would come forward to claim the injured animal. So it would be difficult to identify the owners.

Buffaloes pose a major threat to trains. The horns are as dangerous as a piece of iron rod on the track capable of causing a derailment.

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