Railways says alternative to Melghat route will be more damaging to environment

Nagpur: Reacting to ‘Broad Gauge, Narrow Mind’ report on August 2, the South Central Railways (SCR) has stated that projects are taken up after proper evaluation “wherein preliminary engineering and traffic survey is done taking the needs of the people and the geography of the terrain.

Rakesh CH, the chief public relations officer of SCR stated in a release, “The alignments of the project (Akot-Khandwa broad gauge conversion) is planned in such a way as to cause least environmental damage.Further, Railways is taking up work on any infrastructure project only after getting necessary approvals. Even in the gauge conversion project, Railways has been doing work in only those sections which have all necessary clearances.”
He further stated Railways has agreed to maintain the same speed (60kmph) as that of earlier metre gauge trains. “Railways has also agreed to construct underpasses and overpasses at all identified locations for animal movement. We will bear the cost of any mitigation measures by the forest department,” it said.
Allaying fears that Ambabarva and Wan sanctuaries will be completely severed from Melghat Tiger Reserve as a result of broachgauging the line, the CPRO stated, “Gauge conversion work will be carried out within the existing railway land boundaries with no further land acquisitions, especially in the reserved forest area and Melghat Tiger Reserve. This portion has always been with the Railways without any untoward incident since 1959-60.”
Stating that Railways will avoid blasting, mining and quarrying in forest areas while undertaking gauge conversion work, the CPRO stated diversion of the track to the alternate route will “entail construction of about 7km tunnel, acquisition of additional virgin forest land (152 hectares) as well as revenue land (370 hectares)”.
“As such, it is in fact, the latter option which would comparatively involve more tree cutting, building of bridges, stations and tunnels, which will adversely affect the environment,” the statement said.
TIMES VIEW
Fears of greens were expressed in the report ‘Broad Gauge, Narrow Mind’ written in a form to make not just CM Uddhav Thackeray but also readers aware about the rich biodiversity of Melghat Tiger Reserve. To the naked eye, the conversion seems well nigh impossible to undertake without destroying the ecology of the forest despite the assurances given by the Railways. Highest authorities like the National Wildlife Board, Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority are all unanimous that ‘avoidance of broad gauging is the best mitigation measure’ for the reserve.
The MPs and MLAs of Akola and Buldhana too have voiced their opinion that with hardly any villages along the metre gauge route, the alternative route from outside Ambabarwa sanctuary — the southern tip of Melghat Tiger Reserve — will cater to more people. Ideally, Railways should have let the metre gauge just be. With stringent measures in place, the route held excellent tourism potential to run vistadome coaches for people to soak in the sights. Now that the tracks have been removed, this chance has been lost. This paper has always batted for environmental issues and will continue doing so.