Rayagada: A tusker was killed after being hit by a train engine on the Bissam Cuttack-Theruballi rail route near Brundabhadi in Rayagada district's Bissam Cuttack block, officials said Thursday.
According to preliminary information, a banker light engine was travelling at high speed near kilometre post 312/5-7 when it collided head-on with the elephant.
The impact threw the animal about 3 metres from the tracks. It died at the scene. On being informed, Railway Protection Force personnel and Forest Department staff arrived at the site and launched an investigation. However, heavy rain in the region has delayed rescue and recovery efforts, officials said.
The incident comes as a herd of four elephants from Kalahandi district has been roaming the Bhatapur and Brundabhadi areas of Bis sam Cuttack block for several months. Local residents have expressed frustration over the tusker's death, saying a lack of coordination between the Railways and the Forest Department contributed to the incident.
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