In the last four years, more than 1.20 lakh cattle have fallen prey to train accidents due to which 1.32 lakh trains were delayed while the railways incurred a heavy cost on engine repairs.
The Railways registered more than 1,000 cases of negligence on the entry of cattle in the restricted areas (railway tracks). As many as 934 people were arrested and fined in these cases.
According to Railway Ministry data, 1,01,924 cattle died in train accidents between 2019-20 to 2022-23 (up to 23 January 2023). Due to this, punctuality of 1,32,025 passenger trains got disturbed and the trains reached their destinations later than their scheduled time.
It may be noted here that in case of a delay of train by more than three hours, the Railways has to refund the full fare to the passengers if he claims. Apart from this, the Railways had to spend lakhs of rupees on the repair of train engines.
A senior official said that 1,038 cases were registered by the RPF (Railway Protection Force) under section 147 and section 154 of the Railway Act 1989 on the arrival of cattle on the railway track. Under the Railway Act, there is a provision of a fine of Rs 1,000 and imprisonment of six to one year for entering the restricted railway area.
He said to prevent the cattle, elephants, lions, and wild animals from venturing near the railway tracks, fencing is being erected alongside the tracks.
Apart from this, awareness is being created among the residents of the villages and towns near the railway tracks. Garbage and vegetation on the sides of the track are cleared from time to time. Train drivers and guards are made aware of the places on the tracks of cattle animals.
A Controller General of Accounts (CAG) report presented in the winter session of the Parliament mentions that the Railway Board and the Ministry of Forest and Environment issued a joint general advisory in 2010 to save elephants, wild animals, and cattle from being cut off from the train. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been formulated for the protection of the Asiatic Lion of Gujarat’s Gir Forest.
However, after a decade, the Railways has not been able to implement measures to save lions, elephants, cattle, and other wild animals. In just three years, four lions, and 73 elephants have been killed by trains.
The CAG said the Railways could not implement important measures like the provision of indicator boards, construction of underpasses-overpasses, fencing, the deputation of forest personnel, etc. in many sections.