Ministry of Railway's steps for animal safety near railway tracks

 A number of preventive measures have been taken by Zonal Railways to reduce animal fatalities on Railway track, which include the following:Cleaning of garbage and removal of wild vegetation along the track. Sensitization of Train Crew on a regular basis for frequent whistling at locations prone for cattle/animal run over.

Construction of fencing/boundary wall at identified locations of trespass by cattle/animal and approaches of major towns.Counselling of villagers for taking necessary steps to avoid cattle coming near track through safety seminar/propagandas in villages.Avoid dumping of food waste along railway track to avoid unnecessary congregation of animals near railway track.

A number of steps have been taken on railway lines running through forest areas, which include the following:Imposition of suitable speed restrictions in identified vulnerable locations.Providing signage boards at suitable points to alert train drivers about elephant & other animal presence.

Provision of fencing at isolated locations.Installation of innovative Honey bee sound systems at locations, which are prone to crossing of elephants.Construction of underpasses and ramps for the movement of wild life at identified locations in consultation with Forest officials of the area.

Forest Department staff deputed in Railway control offices to liaison with Railway and elephant trackers engaged by Forest Department for timely action by alerting station master and loco pilots.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.