Centre seeks report on death of elephants on railway tracks in Assam’s Hojai: Bhupender Yadav

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on Sunday, December 21, 2025, that the Center has sought a report on the death of elephants following a collision between a train and tuskers in Assam’s Hojai district a day ago.

Mr. Yadav also said that all States have been asked to monitor elephant movements along railway tracks.

“Rail authorities have been instructed to coordinate with the forest departments of the States on the movement of elephants along the tracks. A report on elephant deaths in Assam has been sought,” Mr. Yadav told reporters after a meeting on the Elephant Project and the National Tiger Conservation Authority in the Sundarbans of West Bengal. He said coordination between train drivers and forest officials is essential.

Eight elephants were killed when the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express crashed into a jumbo herd in Assam’s Hojai district in the early hours of Saturday, December 20. Five wagons and the train’s engine also derailed.

“District magistrates have been asked to inform the Forest Departments about elephant movements along highways,” the minister said.

“A team was formed with the Regional Railway Manager(DRM) Railways, District Forest Officer (DFO) and local people are involved as stakeholders in the concerned district in Assam and all areas where elephant habitat and railway lines are located,” said Mr. Yadav.