Rourkela: Train services have been disrupted since 2 am on Sunday along the Bandamunda section of Howrah-Mumbai main railway line after a herd of 24 wild elephants occupied the tracks and nearby areas.The herd has been roaming between ‘A’ Cabin and ‘D’ Cabin at Bandamunda, under Panposh forest range. Despite daybreak, the elephants had not moved away, preventing the resumption of normal train operations and affecting the movement of four passenger trains. Several express trains were disrupted, leaving passengers stranded on board for extended periods and delaying their arrival at their destinations.Sources said the herd comprises five tuskers, three calves and 16 female elephants. Teams of forest officials and forest squads from Panposh and Bisra forest ranges of Rourkela forest division reached the site and began efforts to safely move the herd away from the tracks. Railway authorities are also monitoring the movement of the elephants.Restoring normal train operations has become a challenge for the Railways as the herd continues to remain on and near the railway tracks. Forest officials and the forest squad will drive away the herd to the forest on Sunday evening. “Our teams from the Panposh and Bisra forest ranges are working to move the herd away from the railway tracks. Our effort is to ensure that the elephants do not come back to the railway track. The herd will be driven towards the forest on Sunday evening,” said Ravikant Meena, DFO, Rourkela forest division.