A herd of around 30 elephants was spotted crossing a railway track near Turekela railway station in Bolangir district on Sunday night, raising concern among railway and forest authorities. The elephants were seen moving between nearby forest patches by crossing the busy railway line.

Night Movement Poses Monitoring Challenge

According to officials, elephant movement has been reported in the Turekela block for the past few days. The herd is mostly active during nighttime and remains inside forest areas during the day, making monitoring difficult for both the Railway Department and the Forest Department. Officials said the Kantabanji railway route is a busy section, with several express trains operating on the line, increasing the risk of accidents.

Forest Department Using Drones to Track Herd

The Forest Department is closely tracking the movement of the herd using drones, with the safety of the animals being the top priority. Both the Forest Department and Railway authorities have been on high alert since the elephants were first sighted near the tracks.

Assam Train Accident Heightens Concern

Concerns have intensified following a train accident in Assam on Sunday in which nearly seven elephants were killed. The incident has heightened apprehensions among forest officials in Odisha, especially after the large herd was spotted crossing the railway line in Bolangir.

Also Read: Rajdhani Express hits elephant herd, eight killed in Assam; five coaches derail

Local Fear and Past Incidents

Officials said the herd entered the region from neighbouring Chhattisgarh and has been present in the area for nearly 15 days. Local residents alleged that the elephants have damaged crops and properties, and in one incident, an elderly woman was reportedly killed. Fear continues to grip the area as efforts to drive the herd away from human settlements have so far remained unsuccessful.