A blame game has broken out between the Forest Department and railway authorities following the death of an adult elephant and two calves struck by an express train near Banstala station in Jhargram, about 20 km from the Bengal–Jharkhand border, around midnight on Friday.
While the Forest Department claimed it had alerted the railways about elephant movement in the area, railway authorities argued that the officials failed to issue formal communication and merely posted a message in a general WhatsApp group, without follow-up action.
“We have noted with concern certain statements made by the Forest Department alleging that prior information about elephant movement in the area had been communicated to the Railways, but not acted upon. The above version is not factually correct and misleading. No official communication was given by Forest Authorities either in writing or telephonically to the concerned railway authorities about the movement of elephant herds. There is a general WhatsApp group in which one message was posted at late night i.e. at 10.56 pm about the movement. But, it is not expected to read each and every message of a general WhatsApp group by all the members of the group in real time basis and that also near midnight,” South Eastern Railway said in a statement.
Also read: Train hits elephant herd in Bengal's Paschim Medinipur, 3 dead
Railway officials referred to a recent written alert from the Forest Department, arguing that Thursday night’s warning should have been issued similarly.
“In past, written memos were served by the forest authorities, for example: last such memo was received by the Station Manager, Sardiha on 06.07.2025 from Forest Range Officer, Manikpara range, Jhargram and accordingly speed restrictions were imposed as required. Similar actions were taken on all similar previous incidences,” the statement added.
The railways have requested the Forest Department to conduct a joint inspection on Saturday.
Divisional Forest Officer Umar Imam stated that railway authorities had been informed as soon as the elephant herd was sighted. “The mishap took place nearly two hours after we informed the railways authorities. Had they paid heed to our warning message, the tragedy could have been averted,” he said.
The deaths have reignited concern about safe passage for wildlife in known elephant corridors and the need for real-time coordination between government agencies.
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