Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has raised serious concerns over the death of elephants in Assam after a Rajdhani Express collision. He described the incident as a warning sign of worsening human–animal conflict in the state.
In a post on X, Gogoi said the deaths of elephants following the train collision were deeply disturbing. He stressed that such tragedies reflect shrinking natural habitats and disrupted wildlife corridors. According to him, rapid and poorly planned development has reduced forest cover across Assam.
Gogoi said traditional elephant migration routes now face repeated obstructions. He added that ecological safeguards often get ignored during infrastructure expansion. He blamed the situation on a lack of foresight and accountability in governance.
The Congress leader urged policymakers to prioritise people, communities, and the environment over short-term economic gains. He warned that ignoring this balance will increase ecological damage and social costs in Assam.
The accident occurred early morning on the Jamunamukh–Kampur section of the Lumding division under Northeast Frontier Railway. The Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants. The collision derailed the engine and five coaches. Seven elephants died, while passengers remained unharmed.
Senior railway officials reached the site quickly and began restoration work. Further reviews of safety measures are expected.
