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Two elephants seriously hurt after being hit by train

Ananya Dutta

— Photo: PTI

An elephant hit by a train at Jalpaiguri on Sunday being removed for treatment by forest officials.

KOLKATA: Two female elephants were grievously injured after being hit by a goods train late on Saturday evening in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district.

The incident occurred near the Redbank Tea Garden at 9.20 p.m.

May not survive

According to officials of the Forest Department, the chances of recovery for the elephants were slim as they have fractured their pelvic girdles.

Both of them have been tranquillised and one of them was moved to the Gorumara forest area.

The site of the accident is about 10 kilometres from the spot where seven elephants were mowed down by a goods train in September last year. The incident had generated a stir and prompted a visit by Minister of State for Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh.

Fund for

underpasses

The Centre had announced the release of about Rs. 4.5 crore for preparation of underpasses on the tracks and other constructions to prevent similar incidents.

A part of the funding has been received by the State government.

“The preparation of underpasses is a time-bound process. We have formed joint-patrol teams of officials of the Railways and the Forest Department,” said Hiten Burman, the State's Minister for Forests.

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