Rajkot: Timely action by loco pilots averted a possible mishap when a pride of 10 Asiatic lions, including cubs, was spotted on the railway track near Dhari on Monday.Loco pilot Anish S. and assistant loco pilot Virendrasinh Parmar were operating the Junagadh-Chalala metre gauge special when they spotted the lions between kilometre 53/5 and 53/4 near Dhari. They immediately applied emergency brakes and brought the train to a halt, preventing a possible accident.The pilots informed the train manager, following which forest department trackers reached the spot and moved the lions safely away from the tracks. The train resumed its journey after the area was cleared and permission was given to proceed. According to senior divisional commercial manager Atul Kumar Tripathi, railway staff helped save 159 Asiatic lions from potential accidents in 2024-25, 129 in 2025-26 and 43 between April and Aug 3 this year.The division has instructed loco pilots to remain vigilant and follow prescribed speed restrictions in wildlife-sensitive stretches. Railway officials said coordination with the forest department and alertness among train crews had helped prevent wildlife-related accidents. Amreli has the highest lion population in Asia with over 300 lions moving in revenue areas, posing a great risk to their lives on railway track and highways.
