Dedicated Freight Corridor through national park gets green nod

A Supreme Court-appointed panel has given its nod to the construction of a rail track passing through Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Maharashtra as part of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC).
 
The ambitious project of Indian Railways, DFC project passing through Sanjay Gandhi National Park has been cleared by Apex Court after hearing under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. With this, the road has been cleared for the construction of phase – II of DFC from Vadodara to JNPT. With this, the project got clearances from all the key concerned authorities at state and centre level.
 
“Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, on their part have made best efforts for minimum disturbance to the ecologically and environmentally sensitive areas by taking detours as much as possible and further by its sensitivity, resolve and commitment towards protection of Environment and its surroundings wherever the corridor has to pass,” a rail ministry release said.
 
DFCCIL shall provide underpasses for free movement of wild animals, chain link fencing for protection, and as a contribution towards the environment and wildlife protection, funds for the upkeep and improvement of national park apart from compensatory afforestation in the region, etc.

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