In order to prevent the frequent deaths of wild elephants by getting hit on railway tracks, Southern Railways has started the construction of a low-level bridge between Walayar and Mavuthampathi.
Coimbatore: In order to prevent the frequent train hits of wild elephants caught in railway tracks,, the Southern Railways has commenced the construction of a low-level bridge between Walayar and Mavuthampathi on the Tamil Nadu- Kerala border, which will serve as a crossing point for wild animals.
Trains bound for Kerala via Madukkarai in the Coimbatore district will have to pass through the dense forest areas of Walayar, Mavuthampathi and Ettimadai on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.
The sheer number of wild elephants getting hit by passing trains in this sector has become a regular phenomenon, which caused a huge outcry from wildlife activists from across the country.
Other animals including deer and wild boars also get killed in railway tracks quite often.,
Only a few months ago, three elephants died after they were mowed down by a passing train in the forested section.
To prevent such gory deaths, the Forest department has come out with a plan to construct a low-level bridge to serve as a crossing point for elephants and other wildlife in March last.
Following this, the works for the construction of a bridge between Walayar and Mavuthampathi is going on in full swing.
Wildlife activists for long have been urging the government to take all preventive measures, including the construction of bridges, and installing watch towers to prevent train hits of wild animals and the move by Railways is lauded by all animal lovers.