The Vande Bharat Express has become a target for saboteurs in recent years, with a series of alarming incidents putting passengers at risk. As authorities blame attempts of sabotage & intentionally creating a controversy with the government. As evidence piles up, the need for robust security measures is seriously rising.
On August 23, the Ahmedabad-Jodhpur Vande Bharat Express narrowly escaped major destruction due to an allegedly ‘deliberate’ derailment.
The train struck a cement slab that was placed on the tracks in Rajasthan's Pali district.
North West Railway CPRO Shashi Kiran stated that the incident occurred around 8:30 PM, causing an eight-minute delay but no injuries among the approximately 375 passengers on board were reported.
Railway officials have since launched an investigation into the incident, which is being treated as a serious act of sabotage.
What’s The Recent Incident?
According to railway officials, the aforementioned train's cattle guard collided with a cement block, when the train was running between the Jawai- Biroliya sections of the district. This accident could have led to a catastrophic scene, but fortunately, upon inspection, the driver and guards confirmed the train was functioning normally.
Senior Section Engineer (SSE) of Falna region claimed that the concrete slab is commonly used for footpath construction. With his complaint on August 24th, the police registered a case against unknown individuals, emphasizing that this act was likely intended to cause a major accident and endanger lives.
A Pattern of Attempts
This incident is not an isolated case. It coincides with ongoing investigations into the derailment of 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express near Kanpur on August 17, where the train’s engine also hit an “object placed on the track”.
These events have raised concerns about a possible conspiracy targeting the Vande Bharat Express trains, especially since it started its operations on PM Narendra Modi’s inauguration on September 24, 2023.
For instance, just a month later, on October 2, 2023, the Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express was forced to make an emergency stop after the pilots noticed stones, two on-foot iron rods & other metal objects placed on the track.
However, according to the police, these objects were placed by two kids who were playing.
In May, there were reports of 13 instances of stone pelting against the Ajmer-Delhi Cantt Vande Bharat train alone.
Arrests and Investigations
In a separate but related incident on August 28, two men, including the son of a farmers’ leader were arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad for allegedly attempting to derail a train by placing a wooden log on the track.
During the investigation, the suspects were identified via local intelligence and surveillance. The accused men reportedly believed that their actions would gain them fame and attention.
Financial Implications and Public Safety
These repeated acts of sabotage have significant financial implications, with damages from stone pelting and clashes with animal incidents totaling around Rs 55.60 lakh over the past few years.
Authorities have documented over 4,200 cases of stone pelting, leading to the arrest of at least 151 individuals involved in such activities in the last three years (2020-2022).
Politicians have suggested that these acts may be part of a larger conspiracy aimed at discrediting the Modi government and its rail initiatives.
Conspiracy or Coincidence?
The alarming frequency of these dangerous attempts against Vande Bharat trains raises an urgent review of security measures.
As investigations continue, railway authorities are asked to arrest these ‘unknown’ people, take necessary action to ensure the safety of passengers, and restore public confidence in rail travel.
Whether it’s a conspiracy or just mere reckless behaviours by people, the stakes are high with growing threats and the potential for even worse tragedies.
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