Heroic Loco Pilots Save Lions on Gujarat Train Tracks

Two alert loco pilots saved the lives of two lions on a railway track in Gujarat's Amreli district. This incident highlights ongoing efforts and challenges in protecting lions from rail accidents, with the Bhavnagar railway division already saving 44 lions by staying vigilant.

In a remarkable act of vigilance, two loco pilots of a goods train saved the lives of two lions that had strayed onto a railway track in Gujarat's Amreli district early Monday morning.

The incident took place around 5:30 am in the Pipavav-Rajula section, where loco pilot Vivek Verma and assistant loco pilot Rahul Solanki were operating the train, according to a release from Western Railway's Bhavnagar division.

Alerted by forest department trackers, Bharatbhai and Bholabhai, who flashed a red light to signal danger, the pilots applied emergency brakes just in time. Senior railway officials praised the pilots for their quick action, which averted a tragedy.

Over recent years, lions have often fallen victim to rail accidents on the line connecting Pipavav Port to North Gujarat. The Bhavnagar railway division has saved 44 lions since April 2024 through such timely interventions.

The Gujarat High Court has urged the state government and Railways to implement stronger measures to protect these endangered animals, following multiple incidents of lions being hit by trains.

(With inputs from agencies.)