Railway workers in Haridwar paused maintenance on a Vande Bharat Express after finding a 10-foot python beneath the train.
The rescue ended without injuries, but the incident demonstrates how wildlife can end up in heavily built human spaces when transportation hubs sit close to natural habitat.
Here's what to know
As the train sat on the washing line for routine cleaning and checks before its return trip, workers noticed around midday that a python was near the undercarriage, according to The New Indian Express.
वंदे भारत एक्सप्रेस में घुस रहा था 10 फीट लंबा अजगर, हरिद्वार में रेलवे कर्मचारियों की सूझबूझ से टला बड़ा खतरा https://t.co/td789MAzap
— Ashutosh shukla (@Ashu9621101476) August 20, 2026
Instead of trying to deal with the snake on their own, railway employees called the Forest Department.
A Forest Department crew led by Forest Ranger Aarti Pant arrived at the station, used specialized equipment to remove the reptile, and later released it back into its natural habitat.
For about two hours, the rescue interrupted maintenance on the train, but the service resumed once that work was completed.
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Divisional Forest Officer Swapnil Aniruddh said the station is about 1,640 feet from Rajaji National Park in straight-line distance, which helps explain how a python could make its way into the area, The New Indian Express reported.
More background
Rail stations, roads, utility corridors, and urban expansion can create boundaries where animals and people are increasingly likely to cross paths. That does not necessarily mean the animal is acting aggressively. In many cases, it means the animal is trying to move through a fragmented landscape.
In this case, the human impact was immediate but limited. Maintenance was paused, workers cleared the area, and Forest Department staff stepped in to prevent harm to both people and the reptile.
The snake survived.
What's being done?
Calling trained Forest Department officials reduced the likelihood of bites, crushing injuries, or a chaotic situation around heavy equipment.
In response, railway authorities have increased monitoring near the washing line and are working with forest officials on preventive measures.
Aniruddh said, "While wildlife occasionally ventures near human settlements, this is the first recorded instance of a python being spotted at the station."
Where can I learn more?
As habitat edges press up against rail lines, roads, and cities, animals are showing up more often in crowded human spaces. The stories below look at how that is playing out in places ranging from India and Japan to parts of Africa and parks in the U.S.
• In Karnataka, wildlife encounters with people have intensified as habitat pressures grow.
• In Nagano Prefecture, government hunters are returning as bear encounters spread into towns.
• Across urban areas, the potential for conflict is growing as animal ranges shift.
• Across parts of Africa, encounters with wildlife reach a costly and dangerous boiling point.
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