A possible rail mishap was today averted after a cut in a track was detected between Chandausi and Moradabad railway sections in the district, in yet another incident of track damage.
The 32 mm cut in track was detected by a railway gangman on patrol at 3:15 AM near Mohammadganj village following which senior officers were informed.
Equipment used to cut it was also found near the track.
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Earlier on February 9, an attempt was made to damage a railway track on Chandausi-Aligarh route near Chandausi railway station here.
On a tip off, police had detected equipment near track and on inspection found that attempts were made to damage the track.
There has been a spurt in incidents of damage to track in the country this year.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had told Lok Sabha recently that there had been seven "blast attempts" and three cases of attempted sabotage of rail tracks.
"There have been unusual activities in the last few days and some incidents were averted due to the alertness of railway personnel," the Minister had said.
Railways have cited "outside interference" as the possible reason of derailment in more than 40 such cases this year.
Citing some recent incidents, a railway official had said "outside interference was found" in some cases near Kanpur, Mumbai, Hajipur and other areas where fish plates were removed and a large rail piece was placed on the track.
The Railways was now in the process of putting in place latest technology like ultrasonic track detection system to find out fractures so that early warning can prevent mishaps.
Besides technology, Prabhu has said the Railway Protection Force has been asked to evolve a forensic strategy.
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