Cameras on trains to minimise animal deaths
A pilot project was launched last week to minimise animal deaths,
especially of elephants, caused by collisions with trains at night.
The Department of Railways, with support from the private sector, has
taken the initiative of installing cameras on locomotives to minimise
the deaths of animals crossing rail tracks at night. The first phase of
the installation of these cameras took place at the Colombo Fort Railway
Station last week under the patronage of Transport Minister Kumara
Welgama. The night vision cameras will detect the movements of elephants
or other animals within the range of one kilometre.
Minister Welgama said depending on the success of the pilot project,
the Department will install a camera network on trains running on the
Northern rail track. The number of elephants dying following collisions
with trains has been increasing over the past few months. Ten elephants
were killed by railway accidents last year. The accidents have also
caused massive damage to the locomotives, in some instances even
derailing trains. Sri Lanka Railways has identified the areas between
Kekirawa and Punani on the Batticaloa line, between Galoya and China Bay
on the Trincomalee line and between Maho and Galgamuwa on the
Anuradhapura line as most vulnerable for elephant accidents.
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