Rail and road traffic in parts of Jharkhand are facing disruptions due to frequent movements of wild elephants. The Manoharapur–Jharsuguda rail section under the Chakradharpur railway division has seen 18 local passenger trains canceled from December 25 to 28 because of elephant crossings. This has caused inconvenience to daily commuters, especially those using smaller stations.
In a positive turn for wildlife conservation, a herd of 22 elephants was observed crossing railway tracks in the same division. Railway authorities halted 12 long-distance trains to ensure the elephants’ safety, avoiding a potential mishap. This action was taken following a recent incident in Assam where seven elephants were tragically killed by a train.
Wild elephant movements also disrupted traffic on National Highway-33, connecting Ranchi and Ramgarh, as 18 elephants appeared near the highway, leading to a temporary suspension of vehicular movement. The forest department’s quick response team successfully guided the elephants back into the forest using torches, flashlights, and sirens, allowing traffic to resume after an hour.
Authorities highlighted the seriousness of the situation, citing six recent deaths from elephant attacks in Jharkhand.
