NGT Acts on Assam Train Tragedy That Killed Seven Elephants
NGT seeks responses from authorities after seven elephants died in a Rajdhani Express collision in Assam.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken up the tragic death of seven elephants killed in a collision with the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam. Issuing notices to key authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Assam government, the tribunal highlighted serious environmental and wildlife safety concerns arising from the incident.
The accident occurred in the early hours of December 20, 2025, on the Jamunamukh–Kampur section of the Lumding railway division. The high-speed Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants crossing the tracks, resulting in the death of all seven animals. The impact also caused the locomotive and five coaches to derail, though no human casualties were reported.
In its order dated January 5, the NGT observed that the incident raised “substantial questions relating to the environment.” The tribunal has sought responses from the Assam government’s special chief secretary for environment, the principal chief conservator of forests, the Assam State Pollution Control Board, and the CPCB. The matter will be heard by the eastern zonal bench in Kolkata on January 28.
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Railway officials stated that dense fog and poor visibility contributed to the accident, with the train encountering the elephants at short notice. Despite emergency braking measures, the train was unable to stop in time. The collision disrupted rail traffic for several hours, requiring restoration work and rerouting of services.
Forest authorities confirmed that the victims included adult elephants and calves, all of whom died on the spot. Rescue and conservation teams rushed to the site, but there were no survivors. The incident has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of wildlife along railway tracks passing through forested and migratory zones.
Assam hosts one of India’s largest elephant populations, and conservationists have repeatedly warned about frequent train-animal collisions in the Northeast. Experts have called for stronger mitigation measures such as speed restrictions, real-time animal detection systems, and closer coordination between railways and forest departments. The NGT’s intervention is expected to intensify scrutiny on infrastructure projects in ecologically sensitive regions and push for stronger wildlife protection mechanisms.
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