Chhattisgarh PCCF Orders Immediate Probe and Stricter Railway Speed Limits in Wildlife Zones

Raigarh (June 16, 2026) — Following a severe train collision that left an elephant seriously injured in the Raigarh Forest Division, Chhattisgarh’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Shri Arun Kumar Pandey has convened a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident.

The accident occurred in the Charmar Beat area of the Gharghoda Forest Range. Upon receiving the report on June 16, the Forest Department immediately dispatched senior officials to the site to coordinate emergency medical treatment and care for the injured animal.

The Inquiry Committee

To uncover the circumstances surrounding the accident and prevent future occurrences, a specialized committee has been established. The panel includes:

 Priyanka Pandey (Head): In-Charge Chief Wildlife Warden and Field Director, Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Bilaspur.

 Arvind P.M.: Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Raigarh Forest Division.

 Jitendra Kumar Upadhyay: DFO, Dharamjaigarh Forest Division.

Key Objectives of the Investigation

The PCCF has directed the committee to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks. Their primary investigative tasks include:

 Site Inspection: Evaluating the specific railway section and the surrounding accident site.

 Route Assessment: Analyzing local elephant movement corridors and the condition of designated animal passages.

 Terrain Analysis: Examining the embankments and geographical features along both sides of the tracks.

 Safety Review: Auditing current wildlife protection measures and verifying the presence and visibility of speed-limit signs in high-risk zones.

 Accountability & Prevention: Identifying any operational lapses that led to the crash and recommending actionable steps to prevent future tragedies.

Broader Safety Directives

Beyond the immediate investigation, the PCCF has issued wider mandates to improve wildlife safety across the region. Forest divisions operating within the Bilaspur Circle that intersect with railway lines have been ordered to actively coordinate with railway authorities. Their goal is to ensure the prompt installation of speed-restriction signage and other critical safety infrastructure in wildlife-sensitive corridors.

Looking Forward: Forest officials emphasized that this inquiry is a vital step toward identifying systemic safety gaps. The ultimate objective is to bolster preventive mechanisms, mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, and reduce railway-related elephant casualties in the future.