The Forest Department here has made a fresh proposal to install solar fencing on either side of the railway track from Rambha bypass to Palur junction to prevent the animals from being run over by trains.
The move comes after at least six elephants were crushed to death by an express train near Subalaya on December 29.
Though drivers have been asked to slow down on this stretch following the accident, Forest officers are pushing for solar fencing as a permanent solution to the problem.
Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer SS Misra said the solar fencing proposal has been submitted to the Forest Department and permission sought from the Railways to use its land for erecting 5-km solar fence on either side of the railway track near Subalaya.
The project would cost around ` 8 lakh. The railway authorities are yet to respond to the request, Mishra said, adding that solar fencing will prevent elephants from crossing the tracks and being hit by speeding trains.
In the last one year, most of the 19 elephants that died in the district were electrocuted. In two different incidents, seven jumbos were killed in train accidents.
Meanwhile, the State Government has sanctioned ` 3 crore from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for fencing and fixing of anti-climbing devices (ACD) in South Odisha. Accordingly, Southco has prepared a ` 2.5- crore plan to protect elephants from electrocution in 35 elephant corridors of the region. The plan includes strengthening of electric poles and insulating conductors passing through forest areas.
“Southco has directed its executive engineers in different divisions to start fixing ACDs in area under their jurisdictions,” said Southco vice-president Suresh Choudhury.