The Chakradharpur Railway Division of South Eastern Railway has shared official data explaining the reasons behind the frequent delays in train operations. Between April 1 and April 9, hundreds of trains were held up due to the movement of elephants and stray cattle on the railway tracks. This information was released following concerns raised by local passengers regarding the punctuality of services in the Jamshedpur region.
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What are the main causes for these train delays?
According to the official reports from the railway administration, the presence of wildlife and livestock on the tracks is the primary reason for schedule disruptions. The delay caused by animals not only affects the specific train involved but also creates a ripple effect on the entire network schedule. Below are the key data points recorded during the first half of April:
- Elephant Movement: 328 trains were affected between April 1 and April 9, leading to a total loss of 549 minutes.
- Stray Cattle: 24 trains faced delays of 11 hours and 19 minutes between April 2 and April 11.
- Alarm Chain Pulling: 297 cases of unnecessary chain pulling were recorded since January 2026, resulting in 276 arrests.
Steps taken to ensure safety and punctuality
Railway officials emphasized that slowing down trains when elephants are near the tracks is a mandatory safety protocol. This measure is essential to prevent major accidents such as train derailments and to protect wildlife. The Forest Department is working in coordination with the railway to monitor animal movements. Furthermore, the administration has warned cattle owners that allowing animals to roam near tracks is a punishable offense under the Railway Act of 1989. Local villagers are being requested to keep their livestock away from the lines to help improve train timings.