A brazen theft of critical copper overhead electric (OHE) wire has thrown a spanner in the works of the ongoing Harmuti-Naharlagun railway electrification project in Arunachal Pradesh, significantly delaying the eagerly awaited trial run of the Rajdhani Express. The incident, which saw approximately 150 metres of catenary wire vanish overnight between June 5 and 6, has put a temporary halt to enhanced rail connectivity aspirations for the region.
Senior officials from Papum Pare district, including Doimukh SDO Kipa Raja and SDPO Radhe Obing, wasted no time in conducting a joint field visit to ascertain the extent of the damage. Their assessment underscored the severity of the theft, which directly impacts the crucial trial run of the Rajdhani train service connecting Naharlagun to the national capital, Delhi.
A joint investigation is currently in full swing, with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and local police working hand-in-glove to identify the culprits and broaden the scope of their probe. While a formal First Information Report (FIR) is yet to be lodged by railway authorities, a direct request for police assistance has been made, to which district administration officials have pledged their complete cooperation in bringing the matter to a swift resolution.
In an immediate response, Doimukh police initiated raids on local scrap dealers, though these efforts have, as yet, yielded no concrete leads. The investigation remains a high priority, with sustained coordination between the police and the RPF being a key focus.
Looking ahead, a high-level meeting is on the cards, bringing together senior railway officials, the Papum Pare district administration, police, and key community stakeholders including Gaon Burahs (GBs), Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This collaborative effort aims to fortify coordination and establish a robust community-based vigilance system to shield such vital infrastructure from future acts of vandalism and theft.
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