India's progress in high-speed rail tech: Train derailment averted near Surat; bullet train project advances in Gujarat

An attempted train derailment near Kim railway station in Surat was successfully averted on September 21 after unknown miscreants removed fishplates and keys from the railway track, according to Western Railway’s Vadodara Division, highlighting strides made by the country in high-speed rail technology.

The culprits placed the removed components back on the track, disrupting train movement. Railway officials quickly stopped services, preventing any mishap, and soon restored operations.

Western Railway Vadodara Division said, "Some unknown person opened the fishplate and some keys from the UP line track and put them on the same track near Kim railway station, after which train movement was stopped."

On September 18, at 10:18 pm, the loco pilot of train number 12091, en route from Bilaspur Road to Rudrapur in Uttarakhand, noticed an iron rod obstructing the tracks between km 43/10-11. Acting quickly, the driver applied the emergency brakes, successfully stopping the train and averting a potential accident. After confirming the area was clear, the crew removed the rod and continued the journey without any further issues.