Railways to phase out trains from wildlife reserves

To avoid accidents with animals, the North Eastern Railway NER has agreed to phase out trains running at night through Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa National Park with immediate effect. Besides, speed of the trains passing through the area during the day will be reduced soon at specified points, where maximum animals are sighted.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,nbsp;V K Patnaik said: 8220;Nearly 70 animals, including four tigers and three elephants, have died in the area in the last decade due to train accidents. At present, two trains are operating on the stretch and the NER has agreed to reduce it to one and then finally to zero.8221;

Ner Divisional Railway Manager Ashima Singh said: 8220;We will phase out these trains during night and will reduce speed of trains at certain places from 15 to 30 kilometers.8221;