Jaipur: The amendment to the alignment of the proposed elevated road passing through the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) has drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists and locals. They claim the new plan will not address the issue of wildlife protection along the route.
According to the new proposal, the stretch between Alwar and Talvriksha has been identified as more suitable.The earlier plan suggested construction between Natani Ki Bara and Thank You Board (Thanagazi end). Laxman Saini, a resident of Thanagazi, said, "The stretch was initially proposed via Sariska to benefit the tiger reserve and protect the animals. However, the new alignment is proposed 10km away from the original route. Tourists and locals will continue to face inconvenience. Like in 2012, we will protest if the alignment is not changed."
The long-pending project faced delays due to high costs and questions regarding its utility. However, with increasing threats to the big cat and other wildlife from vehicular traffic, the department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reconsidered constructing the elevated road. Stakeholders claim that if the alignment is changed, the road will lose the purpose for which it was conceived — to protect the animals.
Dinesh Durani, a conservationist and former member of the Local Advisory Committee (LAC), said, "In June 1997, a tiger was killed by a fast-moving vehicle while crossing the road. I was a witness to that accident. Two leopards were also killed in accidents recently. The state govt's top priority should be to construct the road to protect the animals. If alignment is changed, the entire purpose will be defeated."
The Sariska administration earlier also wrote to the chief wildlife warden (CWLW) requesting the construction of an elevated road after observing constant movement of tigers in the area. "The movement of three tigers has been recorded in the area. Vehicular traffic, which has increased significantly, is a major threat to wildlife," reads the letter. Earlier, in July 2019, Chief Minister's office forwarded the proposal to the principal secretary for examination after a request from the local MLA of Thanagazi.
However, a senior official from the Project Works Committee (PWD) said, "The detailed project report (DPR) will only be prepared after approval from the central govt. According to the new plan, the road will be upgraded from two to four lanes, and the stretch between Alwar and Talvriksha has been identified as more suitable."