GUWAHATI, May 7: Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has intensified measures to prevent buffalo-train collisions in Lumding-Badarpur Hill Section under Lumding Division of Assam.
“Considering the safety of train operations as well as the protection of livestock, NFR has intensified preventive initiatives in vulnerable locations where such incidents had been reported frequently in the past,” NFR chief public relations officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma informed on Thursday.
“As part of the safety enhancement measures, fencing work is being carried out along the approaches to major railway tunnels in the hill section to restrict the movement of buffaloes and cattle onto railway tracks,” Sharma said.
Recently, fencing work of approximately 150 metres in length between Tunnel Number 16 and Bridge Number 262 on both sides of the track has been successfully completed.
“In addition, fencing work near Tunnel Number 10 and Tunnel Number 12 is currently under progress and is being expedited for early completion. These initiatives are expected to significantly reduce the chances of cattle straying onto the tracks and avoid cattle-train collisions, thus improving operational safety,” he said.
Alongside infrastructural measures, he further informed that NFR is conducting extensive awareness campaigns in villages located close to areas prone to buffalo dashing incidents, particularly in the New Harangajao-Ditokcherra section.
Railway officials, in coordination with village councils and residents, are sensitising people about the dangers posed by trespassing of cattle and buffaloes on railway tracks and tunnels.
“During these campaigns, pamphlets are being distributed and awareness posters are being displayed to encourage villagers to keep livestock away from railway tracks and premises,” the NFR official said.
He appealed to residents and cattle owners to extend their cooperation in safeguarding railway operations and preventing accidents involving livestock.
