Move slowly in Naxal areas: Railways to drivers

With the trains becoming soft targets of Maoists, the Railways has asked drivers to observe certain speed restrictions while moving through Naxal-affected areas to minimise damage.

The advisory has been issued in the wake of the latest attack near Gaya in Bihar, which marked the 48-hour 'bandh' call given by naxals yesterday in the state along with six others.

Sources in the ministry said instructions had been issued to the train staff to exercise caution and drivers asked to observe "speed restrictions".

The intention is to reduce damage in the event of a bomb blast as the casualties could be higher if a train is moving at high speed.

As per the advisory, Rajdhani trains have been asked to move at a speed of around 75 kms per hour instead of the normal speed of 110 to 130 kms per hour, they said.

Similarly, speeds have been specified for other trains.

The sources pointed out that slow speed had helped minimise damage in the bomb explosion that was targeted at Delhi-bound Bhubaneswar Rajdhani near Gaya last night.

The train was moving at 75 kms per hour and though its 10 coaches along with the engine derailed, there was no death.