Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Divisional Railway Manager’s office in Khurda Road hosted a high-level coordination conference between the Khurda Road Railway authorities and Forest officials in an important step to minimize elephant deaths on railway tracks and guarantee the seamless running of train services. The purpose of the conference, which was presided over by H.S. Bajwa, Divisional Railway Manager, Khurda Road, was to improve cooperation between the two departments in order to keep an eye on elephant movements, avoid mishaps, and lessen train delays brought on by overly strict caution orders.
Important representatives from both departments attended the meeting. Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Operation) P.K. Behera and branch officers from the Operating, Commercial, Engineering, Signal & Telecom, Electrical (Operation), and Security departments represented the Railways. Divisional Forest Officers from Cuttack, Athagarh, Dhenkanal, Khordha, and other Angul forest authorities were there, along with Sudhanshu Sekhar Khora, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Angul, from the Forest department.
H.S. Bajwa underlined that in order to avoid mishaps, real-time tracking of elephant movements is essential. Building underpasses and overpasses in key places designated by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, such as Byree-Kapilas Road and Dhenkanal-Hindol-Sadashivpur, was one of the actionable items that emerged from the conference. Elephant crossings will be safer thanks to these structures, which also lower the possibility of rail accidents.
Forest officials have been urged to place employees at strategic train stops to facilitate prompt communication of elephant movements in order to enhance coordination. In order to swiftly provide “look out advice” to train workers, a dedicated walkie-talkie channel will be set up between station masters and forest agencies. In order to improve sight for loco pilots, vegetation close to railroad rails will be removed and vulnerable areas will be identified. Additionally, signage boards will be put up to alert train operators to the presence of elephant corridors.
Regular sensitization programs will be conducted for loco pilots and guards to educate them on wildlife conservation and protection. The Railways also issued instructions to IRCTC and pantry car staff to refrain from throwing edible waste on tracks, as it can attract wild animals, including elephants.
