[caption id="attachment_1469" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Gujarat Attempted Train Derailment Averted as Fishplates Removed from Track[/caption] In a recent attempt to cause a train derailment, unknown individuals removed fishplates and keys from a railway track near Kim Railway Station in Surat, Gujarat, as reported by ANI, citing officials from the Western Railway's Vadodara Division. The Vadodara division confirmed that the unauthorized tampering involved opening the fishplate and removing keys from the UP line track, subsequently placing them back on the same track near Kim railway station. This action led to a temporary suspension of train movement, which was quickly restored. “An unknown person opened the fish plate and removed some keys from the UP line track, placing them on the same track near Kim Railway Station, which led to the suspension of train movement. The service was quickly restored,” stated the Western Railway, Vadodara Division.

#WATCH | Gujarat | Some unknown person opened the fish plate and some keys from the UP line track and put them on the same track near Kim railway station after which the train movement was stopped. Soon the train service started on the line: Western railway, Vadodara Division pic.twitter.com/PAf1rMAEDo

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024

Fishplates are specialized rolled sections used to connect railway rails end to end with the aid of fish bolts. The name “fishplate” derives from the shape of the fitting, which resembles a fish. Swift Action by Railway Staff Railway ground staff acted quickly to address the situation, clearing the obstruction and allowing train movement to resume.

Recent Incidents of Train Derailment Attempts

This incident follows several recent attempts to derail trains in the region. On September 8, an attempt was made to derail a loaded goods train in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, by placing two cement blocks on the tracks of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. The goods train struck the blocks, each weighing about 70 kg, but fortunately, no serious incidents occurred. Additionally, a major train accident was narrowly avoided when an alert loco pilot stopped the Bhiwani-Prayagraj Kalindi Express after it hit an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Police later discovered a bottle of petrol and matchboxes at the scene, indicating an attempted sabotage. Last month, the Sabarmati Express derailed near Govindpuri station in Kanpur after the engine struck an “object placed on the track.” Investigations are ongoing, with officials considering the potential involvement of anti-social elements in that incident. Stay updated on the latest news, including developments on safety measures in Indian Railways and other current affairs.