NEW DELHI, MARCH 13
The Central Government has reassured that there will not be any gauge conversion of the railway track passing through Gir. The government said that Talala-Visavadar meter gauge is a part of the Veraval-Talala-Visavadar gauge conversion project, which has been included in the Budget 2017-18. Presently, it has been decided to retain this section as Meter Gauge due to forest issues as the alignment is passing through Gir Reserve Forest. Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, provided this information in Rajya Sabha on Friday while replying to questions raised by Rajya Sabha Member Parimal Nathwani.
The Minister also said that the Railways has given high priority to the protection of endangered animals like Gir Lions around railway tracks. Railways have taken various steps in this regard like the speed of trains has been reduced from 50 kilometers per hour (kmph) to 30 kmph between Talala-Veraval stations in the Gir Forest area so that trains can be stopped while crossing of the track by wild animals. Also, there is close co-ordination with the forest department regarding information of lions near the track, to impose speed restriction and issue an instruction to loco pilots to be more vigilant and cautious while driving.
Nathwani wanted to know whether the gauge conversion of 72 kilometres track between Talala and Visavadar passing through Gir wildlife areas will pose danger to the Asiatic Lions. Also, whether the Government mulls retaining the meter-gauge railway line as a heritage railway line given its rich wildlife and steps taken by Railways to protect Gir lions and other animals from death on railway tracks.
