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Measures being planned to prevent elephants being knocked down by trains: GMR
Several measures have been planned to prevent elephants from being knocked down by trains in the future, Railways General Manager W.A.D.S. Gunasinghe said.
When inquired about the recent deaths of elephants, he said certain preventive measures, such as imposing speed limits, have been taken currently.
"These preventive measures are not successful when a herd of elephants enter the railway tracks at once. Due to the inclement weather and the darkness, the drivers cannot see the elephants clearly from a distance. The elephants also might not hear the sound of the train or the horn due to the heavy rains," the GMR added.
However, plans should be implemented while taking into account the long-term benefits and according to a proper system, Gunasinghe said.
"Currently we have run several experiments with the help of the Wildlife Department to understand elephant behaviour," he said.
"The Department lacked employees, and now we have rectified that issue. There is a need to adjust the height of the railway line to the ground in that area. Elephants cannot cross the railway line immediately due to the height.
"There are productive solutions to prevent elephant deaths, and the money comes along. Lack of funds has caused the delay of many productive measures. But we will try to put in our maximum effort to implement these measures," the GMR said.
Four elephants were killed on Wednesday (27) after being knocked down by the night mail train from Colombo to Kankesanthurai.
On June 3, two elephants died after being knocked down by the Batticaloa-Trincomalee-Colombo train between the Habarana and Gal-Oya stations.
Three elephants died on January 12 after being knocked down by the Batticaloa-Trincomalee-Colombo train near the Hatares Kotuwa area between the Habarana and Gal Oya stations. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
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