A major conspiracy to derail the Maharaja Express, one of India's most luxurious tourist trains, was foiled near Jaipur due to the alertness of the loco pilot.The train, carrying hundreds of foreign tourists, was en route from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur when the incident occurred.
At around 11.30 pm on Tuesday, the loco pilot noticed iron angles placed on the railway track near a railway crossing close to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in the Shivdaspura area.
Acting swiftly, he applied the emergency brakes, bringing the train to a halt and preventing a potential disaster.
According to railway sources, five to six iron angles, each approximately five feet long, had been placed on the track with the apparent intention of derailing the train.
The train was halted for about 35 minutes, during which the obstruction was removed.
Following the incident, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and local police rushed to the spot.
A detailed inspection of the track was carried out with the help of a dog squad.
After the track was declared safe, train operations were resumed. The RPF has registered a case against unknown persons and launched an investigation.
Railway authorities have also issued instructions to intensify track patrolling and security arrangements across vulnerable sections.
Thanks to the presence of mind and quick action of the loco pilot, the lives of hundreds of foreign tourists and other passengers aboard the Maharaja Express were saved, averting what could have been a major tragedy, said officials.
This is not an isolated case. In September last year, a similar attempt to derail the Aravali Express was reported in Rajasthan's Sirohi district, where a pole was placed on the track. Earlier, derailment attempts were also uncovered in Ajmer.
Additionally, incidents of stone-pelting on trains have been reported in recent months; Vande Bharat Express was targeted in Udaipur and Alwar; Intercity Khajuraho Express was attacked in Alwar district, damaging an AC coach window. At the same Alwar location, an attempt was also made to derail a goods train.
In a major security incident, a potential disaster was averted late on Monday night, January 19, 2026, when an alert loco pilot spotted an obstruction on the railway tracks near Jaipur, Rajasthan.
The Incident
The Maharaja Express, one of India’s most luxurious tourist trains, was traveling from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur (Durgapura station). Around 11:00 PM, as the train reached the Shivdaspura area near Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, the loco pilot noticed 5-6 heavy iron angles (approximately five feet long) placed deliberately across the tracks.
Swift Action: The driver applied emergency brakes immediately.
3 Although the engine reportedly hit a few of the angles, the train was brought to a safe halt before a derailment could occur.Passengers: There were 21 foreign tourists and dozens of staff members on board the 23-coach train at the time.
4 Delays: The train remained stationary for about 35 minutes while the obstruction was cleared and the tracks were inspected.
5
Investigation and Findings
Authorities from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and local police arrived on the scene with dog squads to conduct a thorough search.
| Key Finding | Detail |
| The Obstruction | Iron angles were found with concrete blocks attached to them, suggesting an intent to cause a high-impact collision. |
| Initial Theory | Officials stated that while it looks like a conspiracy to derail, they are also investigating if local drug addicts brought the heavy angles to the track to use the rails as a "hard surface" to break the concrete off. |
| Legal Action | An FIR has been registered against unknown persons at the Shivdaspura police station under sections related to sabotage and endangering passenger safety. |
| Context | This follows a string of recent sabotage attempts in Rajasthan, including similar incidents in Ajmer and Sirohi (Aravali Express) in late 2025. |
Current Status
Railway security has been significantly tightened along the Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur section.
Would you like me to keep an eye out for any further updates on the police investigation or arrests in this case?
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