Appearance: Unknown persons on Saturday allegedly tampered with the railway tracks by removing ‘fish’ plates and loosening several screws as part of a conspiracy to derail a train in Gujarat’s Surat district.
Officials said the tampering attempt came to light after a lineman noticed the fault in the early hours and alerted railway authorities before a train passed through the affected track between Kosamba and Kim railway stations.
Surat (rural) superintendent of police Hitesh Joysar said that unidentified persons removed two fish plates from the ends of two tracks on the railway track and placed them on the adjacent track. Joysar said that they also loosened 40-50 screws.
Deputy Superintendent of Police R.R. Saravaiya said that a lineman inspecting the track at around 5.30 am noticed the fault and informed the railway administration. He said, “Railway engineers and other employees reached the spot and repaired the line, after which the movement of various trains resumed.”
Sarvaiya said that the Railways and local police have started investigation and a case is being registered.
Kim police station inspector P.H. Jadeja said it was an attempt to derail the train and the accident was averted due to the alertness of railway staff. He said train movement resumed after the damage was repaired.