The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) in collaboration with the Alipuduar railway division and West Bengal forest department has conducted an inspection of the Siliguri junction – Alipurduar junction BG line of Alipurduar division.
The joint inspection was carried out to ensure the safety of train operations along with saving wildlife.
The joint inspection will also facilitate better co-ordination amongst field level officials of the railway and forest department.
Running of trains is vital in the Siliguri Jn – New Mal Jn – Alipurduar Jn BG section not only for passengers but also for the development of local economic activities.
During the joint inspection, the officials of the departments concerned discussed various issues like trimming of trees in forest areas to improve visibility for train drivers and imposition of speed restrictions in elephant corridors to prevent harming the animals.
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They also focused on improved synergy between forest and railways for better tracking of elephant herds moving near railway tracks.
Alternatives like the construction of ramps, underpasses and overpasses for facilitating the movement of wildlife across the railway tracks were also deliberated upon.
NFR has already imposed speed restrictions for train movement in all notified elephant corridors of the entire section enabling drivers of both goods and passengers trains to save the animals.