Forest department and railways approve new operating procedure
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Forest department and railways approve new operating procedure

Trains running through lion habitat are now required to switch off engine headlights or dim them whenever a lion or other wild animal is spotted on or near railway tracks. It has been recognized that high beams can potentially blind animals, causing distress and panic, ultimately leading them to stay immobile.

During a joint meeting held on April 5, a consensus was reached between the railways and the forest department regarding a standard operating procedure (SOP) for train operations in lion habitat.

The SOP, which was finalized during the meeting, was agreed upon by senior officials of the railways and the deputy conservators of forests (DCFs) of Gir East-Dhari, Shetrunji-Palitana, and Social Forestry - Amreli. This document outlines the measures to be taken in order to protect lions and other wild animals.

As per the SOP, caution orders will be enforced by forest officials to maintain a balance between wildlife safety and railway operational efficiency. In identified hotspots, permanent caution orders with a speed limit of 40 kmph will be implemented from sunset to sunrise. Additionally, temporary caution orders will be issued whenever there is a proximity of lions, requiring train speeds to be reduced to 30 kmph. These orders will be reviewed every 3 hours. According to senior government officials, the forest department advocated for longer durations for temporary caution orders, as lions tend to linger in suitable areas. However, the railway authorities remained steadfast on the re-evaluation every three hours.

The SOP specifies that the forest department will provide real-time updates on lion movements to railway authorities, including the nearest station, enabling timely regulation of speeds. To facilitate this communication, a dedicated WhatsApp group has been established by the railways and the state forest department. This platform serves as a hub for real-time information exchange, allowing for swift updates on lion sightings. It enables messages to be conveyed more efficiently than contacting railway officials individually.

Trains running through lion habitat are now required to switch off engine headlights or dim them whenever a lion or other wild animal is spotted on or near railway tracks. It has been recognized that high beams can potentially blind animals, causing distress and panic, ultimately leading them to stay immobile. During a joint meeting held on April 5, a consensus was reached between the railways and the forest department regarding a standard operating procedure (SOP) for train operations in lion habitat. The SOP, which was finalized during the meeting, was agreed upon by senior officials of the railways and the deputy conservators of forests (DCFs) of Gir East-Dhari, Shetrunji-Palitana, and Social Forestry - Amreli. This document outlines the measures to be taken in order to protect lions and other wild animals. As per the SOP, caution orders will be enforced by forest officials to maintain a balance between wildlife safety and railway operational efficiency. In identified hotspots, permanent caution orders with a speed limit of 40 kmph will be implemented from sunset to sunrise. Additionally, temporary caution orders will be issued whenever there is a proximity of lions, requiring train speeds to be reduced to 30 kmph. These orders will be reviewed every 3 hours. According to senior government officials, the forest department advocated for longer durations for temporary caution orders, as lions tend to linger in suitable areas. However, the railway authorities remained steadfast on the re-evaluation every three hours. The SOP specifies that the forest department will provide real-time updates on lion movements to railway authorities, including the nearest station, enabling timely regulation of speeds. To facilitate this communication, a dedicated WhatsApp group has been established by the railways and the state forest department. This platform serves as a hub for real-time information exchange, allowing for swift updates on lion sightings. It enables messages to be conveyed more efficiently than contacting railway officials individually.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Mount Invests Rs 250 Cr, Adds PUF & PEB Plants, 400+ Jobs

TUMKUR, Karnataka, January 8, 2025 - Mount Roofing & Structures Private Limited, one of India's  fastest-growing manufacturers in PUF and a leading solutions provider across Pre-Engineered Building  (PEB) and Polycarbonate sheets, simultaneously inaugurated its second fully automated continuous  Sandwich Panel manufacturing line and a new PEB manufacturing plant at its integrated campus in  Tumkur." The milestone expansion, part of a total investment of INR 250 crores, marks a significant  advancement in the company's commitment to engineered performance, manu..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Titan Intech Strengthens UltraLED Push With Global LED Veteran

Titan Intech has announced the induction of global LED industry veteran Su Piow Ko to its Board of Directors, marking a strategic step in strengthening its UltraLED Displays roadmap and building globally competitive LED display solutions from India.The appointment aligns with Titan Intech’s ambition to position India as a hub for advanced, high-quality LED display manufacturing. With an increased focus on UltraLED Displays, the company aims to enhance technical governance, raise manufacturing standards and expand its presence across global markets.Su Piow Ko brings over three decades of inte..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Dun & Bradstreet Flags New Growth Engines in India 2026 Outlook

Dun & Bradstreet has released its India 2026: D&B’s Perspective report, projecting a stable macroeconomic environment underpinned by fresh opportunities for productivity-led and inclusive growth. The report outlines how India’s next growth phase will be driven by digitised logistics, trusted data ecosystems, clean energy and rising city vitality.According to the outlook, India’s GDP growth is expected to reach around 6.6 per cent by FY2027, supported by resilient consumer demand and sustained public investment. Manufacturing is seen entering a new phase, moving beyond scale towar..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Open In App