KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, Feb 18: The Railways and the Forest Department have started a joint survey to construct underpasses for elephants in West Singhbhum district.
Frequent train accidents involving wild elephants on the Howrah–Mumbai main line via Chakradharpur have prompted both departments to plan underpasses along the railway stretch. The initiative aims to protect elephants while ensuring uninterrupted train services.
Survey to Identify Strategic Locations
Apart from underpasses, the two departments are also planning to install monitoring towers along the main line between Chakradharpur and Manoharpur under the Chakradharpur railway division.
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Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) of Chakradharpur railway division, Aditya Choudhary, said the joint survey is being conducted to identify strategic locations for the proposed underpasses and monitoring towers.
“The joint survey is to identify the sites for the underpasses and monitoring towers. The number of underpasses and towers will be finalised after the survey is completed. Both the Railways and the Forest Department are seriously pursuing the project and want to implement it at the earliest,” Choudhary told The Jharkhand Story.
Frequent Elephant Movement on Stretch
The railway stretch from Chakradharpur to Manoharpur and further up to Poshaita witnesses frequent movement of wild elephant herds. Considering the movement of elephants between forest areas, the Railways had earlier imposed speed restrictions on trains passing through the corridor at the request of the Forest Department.
Despite the speed limits, several elephants have been hit by trains. Last year, more than one elephant was fatally injured in train accidents even when trains were running at restricted speeds.
Since the elephant corridor falls along a busy main line, maintaining reduced speed also affects train operations.
Underpasses to Reduce Accidents
Once the underpasses are constructed, elephants will be able to move between forests without crossing the railway tracks. The proposed monitoring towers will help authorities track elephant movement and take timely preventive measures.
The initiative is expected to improve railway safety while protecting wildlife in the elephant corridors of West Singhbhum.