Vande Bharat Express and Raajdhani Express : Two high-class trains collided and were injured in separate stone-pelting incidents in Kerala on Monday, raising concerns for the safety of passengers.
The C-11 coach of the Vande Bharat Express crashed at 5:10 p.m. B-5 coach of Rajdhani Express from New Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin to Thiruvananthapuram was hit between Tanur and Tirur stations in Malappuram at 3.45 pm. Between Neeleswaram and Kanhangadi stations in Kasaragod. No one was injured in the accidents. The side windows of the trains were broken in the incident.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) registered individual cases and started investigations. According to RPF officials, no arrests were made as the culprits could not be identified. However, they said that they will catch the criminals with the help of local people.
Meanwhile, railway officials have expressed concern over the increase in stone feeding of expensive trains. They said some miscreants deliberately tried to create panic by targeting compensation trains.
Four stone pelting incidents took place in Palakai Railway Division during the past week. On August 14 and 15, the window panes of the Vande Bharat Express collided with stones between Thalassery and Vadakara.
Railway officials said the pattern of attacks on air-conditioned trains could indicate the criminals’ intention to destroy railway property. However, they said the safety of window seats was also a concern.
Recently, a European wardrobe and red brick were found on the tracks near the Kalanadi railway tunnel.
