India's first railway lion underpass completed in Gujarat

The project comes as lions and other wild animals frequently cross railway tracks passing through the Gir ecosystem, leading to accidental deaths and disruptions.

The Rs 9.42 crore project includes the construction of five wildlife underpasses, of which one has now been completed. The remaining structures are under various stages of execution.

Divisional Railway Manager of Bhavnagar Division, Dinesh Verma, said the project had been conceived to improve the safety of both wildlife and railway operations.

"If the lion underpass concept in Amreli proves successful and accidents involving wild animals are reduced, the initiative will be implemented on other railway routes passing through wildlife-rich areas," Verma said.

He said the project is intended to facilitate the safe movement of lions and other wildlife while ensuring smoother train operations and working towards the objective of zero accidents.

The Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding forests in Gujarat are the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion.

A busy Western Railway line passes through parts of this landscape, where lions and other animals frequently move between forest patches in search of territory, prey and water, bringing them into contact with railway tracks.

Local residents have welcomed the initiative, saying it addresses a long-standing concern over the safety of the region's lion population.

Mahendra Khuman, a farmer from Amreli, said Gujarat has a large population of Asiatic lions, particularly in Amreli district, making measures for their protection essential.

"If we look at this corridor, it is the first such corridor in the world. It has been built in the Bherai area of Amreli district along the Pipavav Port railway track, and the work has been completed. Five more such bridges are also being constructed for the protection of lions," Khuman said.

Railway officials said the project reflects coordinated efforts by the Railways, the Forest Department and the local administration to improve wildlife conservation while maintaining safe and efficient rail operations.

If the underpasses prove effective in reducing wildlife-train collisions, similar structures could be considered on other railway routes passing through ecologically sensitive areas.

--IANS

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