India has finished constructing its first railway underpass dedicated to ensuring the safe movement of Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Amreli district. The underpass, located on the Dhasa-Rajula and Rajula-Pipavav railway sections, is a collaborative effort between the Forest Department and the Bhavnagar Division of Western Railway. This initiative aims to prevent collisions between wildlife, particularly lions, and trains in the Gir landscape.
The project, costing Rs 9.42 crore, involves the construction of five wildlife underpasses, with one already completed and the rest at various stages of development. Dinesh Verma, the Divisional Railway Manager of Bhavnagar Division, highlighted that the underpass in Amreli sets a precedent for enhancing safety for both wildlife and railway operations. The success of this underpass could lead to similar measures being implemented in other wildlife-rich areas along railway routes.
The Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjacent forests in Gujarat serve as the sole natural habitat for the Asiatic lion population. With a significant presence of lions in Amreli district, local residents, like farmer Mahendra Khuman, have expressed support for the underpass project. Khuman emphasized the importance of protecting the lion population and praised the construction of the underpass in the Bherai area of Amreli district along the Pipavav Port railway track.
Railway authorities underscored the collaborative nature of the project involving the Railways, Forest Department, and local administration to promote wildlife conservation while ensuring safe and efficient rail services. If the underpasses prove effective in reducing wildlife-train collisions, similar structures may be considered for implementation on other railway routes passing through ecologically sensitive regions.
