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Gujarat government urges railways to limit speed of trains in lion corridors

Railways has been requested to restrict the maximum speed of trains to 45kmph on the 100-km stretch from Liliya to Pipavav Port, sources informed

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The Gujarat government has written to the Railway Ministry over the incident where three lions died on Tuesday after being hit by a goods train in Amreli district. The government has sought action from the ministry, including limiting speed for trains passing through the areas where lion movement is frequent.

The sources from the Forest and Environment Department said: "The government showed concern over the incident and has written to the Railway Ministry to take immediate action. The government has sought action such as controlling or limiting speed of trains in revenue areas near lions' abode."

The incident took place in the wee hours of Tuesday where a pride of six lions was crossing the train tracks near Borala village, close to Savarkundla town of Amreli district. The train hit two male lions aged around one-and-a-half year to two years and a one-and-a-half-year-old lioness.

The train speed in forest areas is limited to 20kmph. Now, the government wishes to impose the same speed limit in revenue areas as well. Railways has been requested to restrict the maximum speed of trains to 45kmph on the 100-km stretch from Liliya to Pipavav Port, sources informed.

"We have also requested the Railways to decrease the frequency as around 30 goods trains pass on daily basis on this track exclusively laid for transportation of goods to and from Pipavav port. We have suggested that train ferries be scheduled during day time when lion movement is low," sources further added.

Minister for Forests Ganpatsinh Vasava said: "We have suspended the tracker who was found negligent towards duty. We are going to meet the representatives of the Railway Ministry soon to discuss the issue in details."

Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Parimal Nathwani condemned the incident on social media. "It is unfortunate that efforts to save the Pride of Gujarat, Gir Lions, are sluggish, lackadaisical and inadequate in India!" he wrote.

THREE WILDCATS WERE RUN OVER BY TRAIN

The incident took place in the wee hours of Tuesday where a pride of 6 lions was crossing the train tracks near Borala village, close to Savarkundla town of Amreli district. The train hit 2 male lions aged around one-and-a-half year to two years and a one-and-a-half-year-old lioness. The train speed in forest areas is limited to 20kmph.

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