Bhagalpur–Howrah Vande Bharat Express Hits Cattle Again

KKN Gurugram Desk | The Bhagalpur–Howrah Vande Bharat Express has once again encountered trouble, marking the second consecutive day of mishap when the semi-high-speed train collided with cattle on the tracks between Hot Purani and Tekni Halt. Badly damaged but thankfully not derailed, the train avoided catastrophe thanks to quick braking and coordinated efforts.

Incident Details: 3:15 PM Collision Disrupts Schedule

The train departed Bhagalpur at 3:05 PM and, roughly ten minutes into the journey, struck a stray bovine on the track. The impact dented the train’s front end, prompting the driver to initiate an emergency brake. Despite its speed, the train dragged the animal over a short distance before coming to a complete stop.

Officials from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), assisted by railway staff and passengers, removed the carcass. Following a safety check, the train resumed its journey to Howrah.

No Injuries Reported—Passengers React with Alarm

Though the accident caused a loud jolt that shook passengers, no injuries were reported. Commuters described the moment as “a sudden jolt, followed by a tense silence” before applause erupted once officials confirmed everyone was safe.

Cattle Collisions: A Recurring Plague on Vande Bharat Routes

This is not an isolated event. There have been at least 68 cattle-related incidents involving Vande Bharat trains since June 2022 . Earlier, hits occurred near Nonihat (Jharkhand) in September 2024 , Gujarat’s Anand, and along the Mumbai‑Gandhinagar route . Reports from Trichy and Ayodhya‑Delhi corridors also highlight similar issues .

The Pantna–Howrah and Howrah–Bhagalpur routes are particularly vulnerable, passing through cattle-prone rural stretches.

Train Protection and Design: Handling Cattle Hits

Vande Bharat trains are equipped with FRP (Fibre-Reinforced Polymer) nose cones, a sacrificial structure designed to absorb low-impact collisions—especially with animals. When struck, these nose cones cushion the blow, preventing more severe damage to the train’s vital systems. They can be quickly replaced at maintenance depots, limiting downtime .

According to Western Railway officials, the nose panel is deliberately engineered to sustain impact, and is replaceable without affecting passenger safety or schedule integrity .

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that such animal collisions are unavoidable with ground-level tracks, and designers have incorporated cattle mitigation features by necessity .

Cattle on Tracks: Infrastructure & Enforcement Challenges

The persistent presence of cattle on tracks stems from a combination of factors:

• Unfenced rural stretches

• Open grazing practices

• Broken boundary barriers

• Absence of localized cattle control mechanisms

Despite attempts at fencing along busy corridors (e.g., Delhi–Howrah), many rural sections remain unfenced, allowing free movement of cattle onto railway lines .

Railway officials have urged coordinated efforts with state governments to enhance track fencing, enforce grazing regulations, and deploy RPF patrols to deter stray animals.

Passenger Safety: Emergency Systems GUI Show Their Worth

In a real-world test of its built-in safety mechanisms, the Vande Bharat’s heads-up emergency braking managed to:

• Stop the train within safe distance

• Protect passengers from serious injuries

• Allow swift clearance of the obstruction

Passengers responding to this incident praised the promptness of staff and the engineer, noting how the train crew acted decisively to minimize risk.

Railway Follow-Up: Clearing, Inspection, Resumption

Key steps following the collision included:

1. Passenger Count & Status Check

2. RPF and Staff Clearing the Carcass

3. Safety Inspection of the Nose Cone and Systems

4. Deployment of Replacement Units if Damage Found

5. Permission from On-site Officer to Resume Journey

Thanks to these protocols, there was only a short delay, and no passengers were injured or diverted to medical facilities.

Expert Analysis: Why Vande Bharat Needs Better Track Safety

Railway safety expert Dr. Rajesh Bhattacharya notes:

“These repeated cattle hits show technology is only part of the solution. Infrastructure upgrades and community coordination—like fencing, underpasses, and local accountability—are crucial.”

He recommends:

• Fast-tracking fence construction along high-speed routes

• Installing animal-detection sensors

• Launching public awareness campaigns in areas adjacent to tracks

Preventive Steps and Future Directions

Targeted railway measures should include:

• Transparent Geo-tagged fence lanes

• Locally sourced cattle underpasses or enclosures

• Enhanced RPF visibility and nightly patrols

• Collaboration with district authorities and NGOs

• Long-term integration of smart animal-detection tech

The latest incident reinforces how ahead-of-the-curve design, routine inspections, and emergency protocols protected passengers from harm. At the same time, it spotlights the urgent need for structural railway defenses against animal intrusion into track zones.

As Vande Bharat expands across India, balancing technological prowess with rural infrastructure coordination will be key to maintaining the train’s high safety standards—and avoiding minor incidents from becoming major tragedies.