A major train accident was narrowly avoided early Sunday after an LPG cylinder was found on the rail tracks near Perambur Railway Station in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The cylinder was spotted ahead of a goods train, prompting the loco pilot to apply the brakes just in time.
This marks the fourth incident in September where unidentified miscreants have attempted to derail trains. On September 8, the Kalindi Express, traveling from Prayagraj to Bhiwani, struck an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks in Kanpur.
The train halted after hitting the cylinder, and the loco pilot also noticed other suspicious items, including a petrol bottle and matchboxes.
Indian Railways reported on September 10 that there have been 18 attempts to derail trains nationwide since August.
Between June 2023 and now, 24 such incidents have occurred, with objects like LPG cylinders, bicycles, iron rods, and cement blocks being found on tracks. According to the Railways, of the 18 incidents, 15 took place in August and four in September, including the latest train derailment attempt in Kanpur.