Nagpur: While the economic growth of the country is much needed, it need not come at the expense of ever dwindling precious protected areas (PAs), says the feasibility assessment report on railway gauge conversion in Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR).
The report by a NTCA working group constituted by the Central government was submitted in January this year. A field visit was undertaken by the group between August 14-17 last year. The group had clearly mentioned that the railway route should not cut across the MTR and an alternative route should be constructed.
“As economic growth is important for alleviating poverty and for bringing all-round development, the PAs are required for even more crucial for ecological and environment security of the country,” the report adds.
However, the report seems to have been completely given the go-by by highways minister Nitin Gadkari and railway minister Piyush Goyal by giving a go-ahead on Monday to upgrade line based on an apparently favourable opinion from the Attorney General of India (AGI).
The expert group, after studying the documents of gauge conversion and its impact on MTR and alternate alignment, concluded that the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), the topmost decision-making body on wildlife projects, cleared it on basis of cost escalation aspect and non-feasibility of a tunnel construction if alternate route is taken.
Railways is not keen to construct on the alternate route as it is longer by 29.37km. It will also have to construct a 6.65km single tunnel near Kunverdev village, which will cost Rs556 crore. Railways says making the tunnel is difficult. But the report says, “When Railways can construct tunnels in most difficult Pir Panjal (J&K) and Konkan, why is it not possible outside MTR?”
The group suggested to the NBWL to reconsider its decision and suggest realignment of the railway line bypassing the core area of MTR. “In the past, the railway was used by poachers to enter tiger reserve and carry out poaching activities,” it said.
The experts concluded that “considering NBWL observations, mitigation guidelines, precautionary principle, quantum of ecosystem services rendered by tiger reserve, restrictions that will be imposed passenger movement and freight trains, we are of the opinion that gauge conversion in MTR is not feasible”.
The team observed that as per the preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey for gauge conversion from Akola to Khandwa stations, this project was proposed in 2007 at a cost of Rs485.43 crore with an estimate rate of return (RoR) of 25.02%. The railways want to use the line basically to boost transportation of foodgrains, oil cake, fertilizers, maize and cement.
“There have been several sightings of tigers in the adjoining area of the proposed project indicating it’s a breeding ground. Apart from tigers, other recorded species include leopards, sloth bear and gaur,” says the report.
The state government on November 3, 2011 had communicated about exploring the alternate route outside the reserve as existing track has already fragmented the reserve.
