A bizarre and alarming incident unfolded in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district today, as a woman drove her car onto active railway tracks near Shankarpally, causing significant disruption to train services and sparking panic among railway staff and local residents. The incident, captured in a viral video, has prompted a police investigation and raised serious questions about railway safety protocols.
The 34-year-old woman, identified as being from was seen driving a Kia Sonet along the railway line for an estimated six to seven kilometers. Despite repeated attempts by railway personnel and onlookers to signal her to stop, she reportedly continued on the tracks. Eyewitnesses reported that the woman even threatened bystanders with a knife when they tried to intervene, preventing them from approaching her vehicle.
The reckless act led to immediate and widespread disruption of train operations. Railway sources confirmed that at least 10 to 15 passenger trains, including a vital Bengaluru-Hyderabad express, had to be diverted or suspended as a precautionary measure to avert a potentially catastrophic collision. The timely response of railway officials is credited with preventing any casualties or major accidents.
Police and railway staff eventually managed to corner and halt the car, taking nearly 20 individuals to bring the woman out of the vehicle due to her aggressive behavior and lack of cooperation. Chandana Deepti, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Railway Police, stated that the woman appeared to be mentally disturbed. A preliminary probe revealed she was a former employee of a multinational company who had recently lost her job, leading to suggestions of mental distress. Police are also investigating if the incident was an attempt at suicide.
The woman has been taken into custody, and her driving license and PAN card were recovered from the vehicle. She has been sent to a government hospital in Chevella for medical examination to ascertain her mental state and determine if she was under the influence of any substances. Shankarpally police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
This incident highlights the critical importance of robust security measures around railway infrastructure and raises concerns about public awareness regarding the severe dangers of trespassing on railway lines. While Indian Railways has made significant strides in reducing accidents, with a reported 90% decline in incidents since 2005-06, such individual acts of extreme negligence pose a unique challenge. The disruption caused underscores the far-reaching impact of such irresponsible behavior on thousands of commuters and the railway network’s smooth functioning. Authorities are expected to review access points to railway tracks to prevent similar occurrences in the future.