GUWAHATI: An expert committee is studying the feasibility of a viaduct between Azara and Kamakhya rail stations to mitigate the problem of elephant deaths on tracks in the section.
The committee comprising experts and technical members from varied fields was formed last year under the chairmanship of the state’s chief secretary, following a directive by the National Green Tribunal (Kolkata Bench) to stop construction activities in the section under the New Bongaigaon-Goalpara-Kamakhya doubling project till mitigation measures for elephants are taken by NF Railway.
Apart from the existence of elephant corridors in that section, there is a wildlife sanctuary, Deepor Beel, home to a varied species of avian fauna in the area.
The Rs 2232.32crore doubling project, covering a length of 176km, was sanctioned in the year 2015-16. A sum of Rs 300crore has been allotted for the year 2018-19 under the project.
However, with the NGT intervention last year, there are issues confronting the project’s implementation, with the possibility of cost escalation with time overrun.
“The committee which has had a few sittings so far, is studying all angles before coming up with a final report as there are issues to be addressed. Cost is one of them. According to a preliminary estimate, the cost of a viaduct – an elevated structure on which the track would pass – across 1.5km would run into about Rs 800crore and hence the budget for the doubling project would have to be revised,” an NFR (Construction Organisation) official told The Shillong Times on Monday.
Railway sources maintain that any proposal for a project’s budget revision must be sanctioned by the Railway Board and Union finance ministry.
“The committee comprises experts from various fields who will take the final call. The railway will only implement the technical part if the green signal is given. So the panel is expected to offer a collective solution substantiated by validation, following which a final push would be given,” the official said.
Over the years, a number of elephants crossing the tracks near Deepor Beel have been hit by trains, resulting in deaths. However, sources say the last death of an elephant hit by a train in the section occurred in September last year.
NF Railway, for its part, has put in place six permanent speed restrictions in the section because of elephant corridors.
“Besides, electric fences have been erected to divert the herds. The forest department in Goalpara has constituted a local coordination committee to monitor the movement of elephants and alert the railway control room when they locate herds moving towards the tracks. These are short term measures which have reduced fatalities,” he said.