The Khajuraho-Panna rail line project has faced a major setback as the Indian Railways decided to change the route. This decision came after 54,578 trees were already cut and ₹24.78 crore was spent on the previous plan. The change is aimed at improving safety for train operations.
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Why was the route changed and what is the impact
Railway officials stated that the original design had six sharp curves that were unsafe for trains. To fix this, the route was redesigned to reduce these curves. However, this change has led to a 3-year delay in the project and an increase in total costs. Now, the railway needs to acquire 286 hectares of forest land again, which may lead to the cutting of another 50,000 trees.
What are the new technical details of the project
The updated plan involves changes in the number of tunnels and bridges to ensure a smoother path. The project details are as follows:
| Feature | Old Design | New Design |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnels | 8 | 7 |
| Bridges | – | 10 |
| Forest Land Acquisition | 315 Hectares | 286 Hectares |
| Trees Cut | 54,578 | Approx. 50,000 more |
Panna Tiger Reserve Deputy Director Punit Sonkar has requested the railway to dump debris from hill cutting outside the forest area to protect the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did the railway change the Khajuraho-Panna route?
The route was changed because the old design had six major curves that were considered unsafe for train operations.
How many trees were affected by this project?
54,578 trees were already cut under the old plan, and it is estimated that another 50,000 trees will be cut for the new route.