Gujarat plans elevated rail line via Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

elevated rail line project in Gujarat
The state forest department in Gujarat is planning to set up an elevated railway line passing through Gir Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to the last surviving population of Asiatic Lions. The Indian Railways has submitted in the Gujarat high court that it has shelved plans to upgrade the existing railway tracks in the sanctuary.

The proposed project is on the lines of Pench Tiger Reserve running between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra where an elevated stretch helps protect animals around National Highway 44. The state forest department has held initial level talks with the Indian Railways, which has been asked to work out the financial aspects of the project. In case building elevated tracks in Gir sanctuary resolve the city's transport problems by adopting sustainable urban mobility solutions, the PRF will conduct feasibility studies for prioritized projects identified in the CMP, and prepare detailed project reports and detailed design for the ensuing project. It will help develop the institutional capacity of the state's Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department in pre-implementation and project preparation activities. Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Rajat Kumar Mishra, informed that the PRF supports the development of long-term solutions to improve urban mobility in Aizawl by identifying high-priority urban transport investments for the ensuing project and enhancing its readiness by supporting due diligence and other preparatory activities. Takeo Konishi, country director of ADB's India Resident Mission, said that the PRF will develop a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Aizawl that outlines the urban transport development strategy and build synergies with urban development planning initiatives in the state, and promote climate and disaster resilience, and gender inclusiveness in its interventions.