New Delhi/Chakradharpur: In a significant move to ensure the safety of wildlife, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection systems and Optical Fiber-based monitoring will be deployed to track elephant movements. This technology aims to prevent train-animal collisions and bolster conservation efforts across the railway network.
The minister shared these details during a video conference held at the Chakradharpur DRM office on Monday. He further noted that the latest budget includes provisions for constructing 200 underpasses nationwide, specifically designed for elephant corridors.
Chakradharpur Division: 7 New Underpasses Planned
Tarun Huria, the DRM of Chakradharpur, confirmed that seven such underpasses are slated for construction within the division. Key highlights of the safety plan include:
- AI Cameras: Cameras equipped with AI will monitor movement in real-time to alert loco pilots.
- Infrastructure: Solid underpasses will allow elephants to cross tracks safely, addressing a long-standing issue on the Howrah-Mumbai mainline where elephant casualties frequently disrupt rail operations.
- Inter-State Cooperation: Since the division connects Jharkhand and Odisha, a special joint program is being implemented to safeguard elephants in both states.
Economic Growth: East-West Trade Corridor and Employment
The railway minister also emphasized the construction of the East-West Trade Corridor, which will connect Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. This corridor is expected to be a massive engine for job creation. Furthermore, the Surat to Dankuni Freight Corridor will directly benefit the three districts of Kolhan (East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela Kharsawan) along with parts of West Bengal. By streamlining the transport of goods, these corridors will boost local industries and business opportunities.
Modernization and New Rail Lines
With fresh budget allocations for Jharkhand, the Chakradharpur Division is set for a major overhaul:
- New Tracks and Subways: Plans include laying new lines, building river bridges, and constructing road overbridges (ROBs) and subways.
- Station Development: Ongoing work at Tatanagar, Adityapur, Chakradharpur, Gamharia, Chandil, Kandra, Silli, and Chaibasa will be accelerated.
- Direct Port Connectivity: Approximately 400 meters of new loops and branch lines will be laid to connect loading points directly to ports, reducing the congestion on the busy Tatanagar-Kharagpur mainline.
