Proposals such as closing the gaps between train track logs where necessary by filling them with soil, clearing underbrush to improve visibility for engine drivers and widening the passage between mountains by cutting the edges are being considered as immediate solutions to prevent train accidents with elephants, Wildlife Conservation Department acting Director General Ranjan Marasinghe said.
He told the Sunday Observer that levelling the railway track would help elephants to cross it faster. He said the Department has identified and mapped the railway stretches where elephant accidents were frequently reported, adding that those include Habarana, Kantale, Gal Oya and Welikanda.
“We will focus on these stretches first to mitigate the problem. Our data has been shared with the Railway Department. The existing speed limits will also be reviewed to see whether we need to lower them,” he said.
The authorities of the Wildlife Conservation Department and the Railway Department were scheduled to make a field visit yesterday (Saturday) to the location of the recent tragic train accident to decide on the immediate solutions. The acting Director General said another discussion would be held shortly to discuss long-term measures, such as using advanced technology to mitigate the problem.
“We are looking at technology that enables the detection of wild animals on rail tracks at night, the use of high-powered lights when needed, and the installation of sensors in train engines to provide early warnings if elephants are detected on the track,” he added.
The Railway Department and the Wildlife Conservation Department have launched two separate investigations into Wednesday’s train accident between Gal Oya and Minneriya, which killed six wild elephants and critically injured another. The injured female elephant is being treated at the Giritale Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.
Speed limits and a signboard were present in the area, as the railway line passes through the Kaudulla Forest Reserve.
A herd of seven elephants was knocked down by the Meenagaya Intercity Express Train near the 141-milepost between Gal Oya and Minneriya on the Batticaloa railway track at around 11.30pm on Wednesday.
Three baby elephants and two female elephants died on the spot, and another baby elephant later succumbed to its injuries. The herd of elephants was reportedly trapped between two mountains when the train arrived.
The train engine and several compartments derailed. No passengers were injured. Train services on the Batticaloa line resumed on Friday.
Of the 388 elephant deaths reported last year, 11 were due to train collisions.
