Railways to Install Track Fencing to Protect Elephants

Tatanagar: The Chakradharpur Railway Division has launched a major safety initiative to prevent elephant fatalities on railway tracks. In a joint effort with the Forest Department, the railway has issued a tender worth ₹15,47,79,135 to install protective fencing along critical sections of the track.

Securing Sensitive Rail Corridors

The fencing project targets specific high-risk zones where elephant movement is frequent. The railway will install barriers in the following areas:

• Bondamunda: From ‘A’ Cabin to ‘D’ Cabin and ‘A’ Cabin to ‘P’ Cabin.

• Sonakhan–Sogra rail line.

• Bagdihi–Dhutra rail section.

These barriers aim to block elephants from entering the tracks, significantly reducing the risk of collisions with moving trains.

National Guidelines for Wildlife Safety

This move follows a comprehensive report from the Central Forest Department, which identifies sensitive rail sections across India. To safeguard wildlife, the government has proposed a total of 705 structures nationwide, including:

• 39 locations for specialized fencing or trenches.

• 65 new underpasses and 22 overpasses.

• Expansion or modification of 72 bridges.

• 503 ramps and level crossings.

A Collaborative Effort

The Ministry of Railways and state governments are working together to implement these suggestions. By starting the fencing work in the Chakradharpur Division, the railway aims to create a “green corridor” that balances industrial logistics with wildlife conservation.