Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to prevent elephant fatalities on railway tracks and ensure the smooth operation of train services, a high-level coordination meeting was held between the Khurda Road Railway authorities and Forest officials at the Divisional Railway Manager’s office in Khurda Road.
The meeting, chaired by H.S. Bajwa, Divisional Railway Manager, Khurda Road, aimed to strengthen collaboration between the two departments to monitor elephant movements, prevent accidents, and reduce train delays caused by excessive caution orders.
The meeting saw the participation of key officials from both departments. Representing the Railways were P.K. Behera, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Operation), along with branch officers from Operating, Commercial, Engineering, Signal & Telecom, Electrical (Operation), and Security departments. From the Forest department, Sudhanshu Sekhar Khora, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Angul, attended alongside Divisional Forest Officers from Cuttack, Athagarh, Dhenkanal, Khordha, and other forest officials from Angul.
H.S. Bajwa emphasized the need for real-time monitoring of elephant movements to prevent accidents. The meeting resulted in several actionable points, including the construction of underpasses and overpasses at critical locations identified by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, such as Byree-Kapilas Road and Dhenkanal-Hindol-Sadashivpur. These structures will facilitate safe elephant crossings and reduce the risk of collisions with trains.
To improve coordination, forest officials have been advised to station staff at key railway stations for timely communication about elephant movements. A dedicated communication channel using walkie-talkies will be established between station masters and forest departments to issue “Look out advice” to train crews promptly. Additionally, vulnerable locations will be identified, and vegetation near railway tracks will be cleared to ensure better visibility for loco pilots. Signage boards will also be installed to warn train operators of elephant corridors.
Regular sensitization programs will be conducted for loco pilots and guards to educate them on wildlife conservation and protection. The Railways also issued instructions to IRCTC and pantry car staff to refrain from throwing edible waste on tracks, as it can attract wild animals, including elephants.
The Khurda Road division has identified several vulnerable sections for elephant movement, including Byree-Kapilas Road, Kaipadar-Tapang, Gurudujhatia-Rajathagarh-Machhapur, Radhakisorepur-Ghantical, and Parjanga-Kamalanga. The division’s control room is operational 24/7 to relay information about elephant movements and issue caution orders to station masters and loco pilots, ensuring trains operate at permissible speeds in these areas.
While these measures are crucial for elephant conservation, they sometimes lead to train delays. H.S. Bajwa appealed to rail users for their cooperation, emphasizing the importance of these efforts in protecting wildlife and preventing accidents.
The collaborative efforts between the Railways and Forest departments mark a significant step towards balancing wildlife conservation and efficient train operations in the Khurda Road division.
