The Dhanbad-Bhubaneswar Express is consistently running two to three hours behind schedule, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. Railway authorities have clarified that the delays are primarily due to strict speed restrictions of 30-40 km/h imposed in forest zones. These measures are essential to ensure the safety of elephants frequently crossing the tracks in various rail sections.
ℹ: Moga railway crossing update: S-54 gate closed for four days due to track maintenance।
Why is the Dhanbad-Bhubaneswar Express facing daily delays?
Railway officials from the Dhanbad and Chakradharpur divisions have identified elephant movement as the main reason for the slowdown. Specifically, in the Barkakana-Barwadih section, trains are instructed to maintain a maximum speed of 25 km/h. According to recent reports, South Eastern Railway implemented these safety protocols for over 300 trains in early April 2026 to prevent wildlife casualties. While passengers have noted that premium trains like Vande Bharat remain on time, the specific timing and route of the Dhanbad-Bhubaneswar Express often coincide with high elephant activity periods reported by the Forest Department.
What measures are being taken for railway safety and wildlife protection?
- Automatic alarm systems are being installed to alert loco pilots about the presence of elephants near tracks.
- Real-time data sharing between the Forest Department and Railway control rooms helps in issuing immediate speed reduction alerts.
- The South Eastern Railway reported that 328 train services were regulated between April 1 and April 9, 2026, due to safety corridors.
- Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that such protective measures have successfully reduced elephant casualties by over 50% nationwide.
- Environmentalists have suggested further upgrades like drone monitoring and sensor-based alerts to balance train punctuality and animal safety.
The transition of the Dhanbad-Bhubaneswar Special into a regular express service from April 2, 2026, has also seen these operational challenges. Railway DRM Akhilesh Mishra emphasized that while delays are regrettable, the protection of wildlife remains a top priority for the department.