[:en]No gauge conversion of railway track passing through Gir: Centre assures[:]

[:en]March 13, 2020: The Central Government has reassured that there will not be any gauge conversion of the railway track passing through Gir. The government said that Talala-Visavadar meter gauge is a part of Veraval-Talala-Visavadar gauge conversion project, which has been included in the Budget 2017-18. Presently, it has been decided to retain this section as Meter Gauge due to forest issues as the alignment is passing through Gir Reserve Forest. The Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, provided this information in Rajya Sabha on March 13,2020 while replying to questions raised by RS MP Shri Parimal Nathwani.

The Minister also said that the Railways has given high priority to protection of endangered animals like Gir Lions around railway tracks. Railways have taken various steps in this regard like speed of trains has been reduced from 50 kilometer per hour (kmph) to 30 kmph between Talala-Veraval stations in Gir Forest area so that trains can be stopped while crossing of track by wild animals. Also, there is close co-ordination with forest department regarding information of lions near track, to impose speed restriction and issue instruction to loco pilots to be more vigilant and cautious while driving.

Shri Nathwani wanted to know whether the gauge conversion of 72 kilometres track between Talala and Visavadar passing through Gir wildlife areas will pose danger to the Asiatic Lions. Also, whether the Government mulls retaining the meter gauge railway line as a heritage railway line in view of its rich wildlife and steps taken by Railways to protect Gir lions and other animals from death on railway tracks.[:]