A wild elephant caused considerable disruption on the Dehradun-Haridwar highway near a toll plaza on Saturday, August 9, 2025, after it attacked vehicles. The incident occurred as vehicles were waiting to pass through the crowded toll lanes.
A video circulating online shows the elephant creating chaos as it attempted to cross the road. The elephant is seen heavily damaging a car with its trunk. Fortunately, the driver of the vehicle managed to escape unharmed by quickly driving away.
According to officials, elephants are frequently seen near the toll plaza, posing a continuous safety risk to commuters.
In a similar incident in July 2025, a female elephant and her calf, disturbed by loud music and bright lights from camping Kanwariyas, overturned two tractor-trolleys near the Manimai Temple on the Doiwala-Dehradun highway. Forest officials have urged pilgrims not to camp near forested areas or use loud music or bright lights that may provoke wildlife. Lachhiwala range officer Medhavi Kriti stated that the elephant likely approached the highway in search of food and was provoked to attack vehicles due to the loud music and bright lights.
Wildlife experts have long warned that the Doiwala-Lachhiwala highway is located on a known elephant corridor. Forest officials were dispatched to the scene to guide the elephant across the highway, after which the commuters and toll plaza employees were relieved.
