সংৰক্ষিত চিৰাং-ৰিপু সংৰক্ষিত বনাঞ্চলৰ এলিফেণ্ট কৰিডৰত উৰণীয়া সেতুৰে চলিব ৰে'ল...

According to a report by Asomiya Pratidin, high-ranking officials from the Indian Railways, the Forest Department, and wildlife authorities have conducted a field inspection in the Chirang district of Assam. The visit focused on the proposed international rail project intended to connect Kokrajhar with the Gelephu Megacity in Bhutan. The project has faced significant delays due to concerns regarding the potential environmental impact on the Chirang-Ripu Reserved Forest.

Initial plans for the rail line raised concerns among conservationists and local officials, as the proposed route would have cut through approximately ten kilometers of protected forest land, potentially disrupting wildlife corridors and habitats. To address these environmental challenges, the railway department has proposed the construction of an elevated rail corridor spanning the ten-kilometer stretch within the forest. This design is intended to allow for the free movement of wildlife beneath the tracks, mitigating the fragmentation of the protected area.

The recent field visit was part of an ongoing assessment to evaluate the feasibility of this elevated structure before finalizing the project's implementation. The proposed rail link is seen as a significant infrastructure development for the region, aiming to enhance connectivity between India and Bhutan while adhering to environmental safeguards. Further updates are expected as the inter-departmental committee reviews the findings from the site inspection.