India Railways targets stone-pelting after Vande Bharat Express attack

Railway authorities in India are intensifying efforts to curb stone-pelting on moving trains following an incident involving the Udaipur City-Surat Vande Bharat Express. On October 18, three laborers from Bihar were arrested after throwing stones at the train between Utran and Surat. The attack damaged several glass panes in coach C-6 and the pantry car, though no passengers or staff were injured. The suspects reportedly claimed they threw the stones “for fun.”

This incident follows a broader trend of security challenges within the rail network. Official data indicates that between 2021 and 2025, 12,157 stone-pelting incidents were registered, resulting in 8,441 arrests. Premium services, including the Vande Bharat, Swarn Shatabdi, and Duronto Express, have been targeted.

At a recent all-India conference of Government Railway Police (GRP) chiefs, officials called for enhanced surveillance, better coordination between the RPF and GRP, and the use of technological advancements to tackle these security threats. The conference also focused on improving passenger grievance redressal through the RailMadad platform and managing crowds during upcoming major festivals.