Environment Protection in a Railway Project

ALOK K SHRIVASTAVA

Taking up construction work in hilly terrain is not an easy proposition—especially if the area concerned happens to be fragile or part of a young geological formation. Apart from taking care of biodiversity and protecting thick, green vegetation to withstand the slope, sufficient attention must be given to drainage so that any hill-cutting activity does not trigger a landslide.

A short visit to the 44-km-long Sevoke–Rangpo rail-link project, sanctioned in 2009, revealed that all possible measures are being undertaken so that this long-delayed national project does not leave any doubt on the environmental front.

Once completed, the rail-link project is expected to address many communication-related issues.

HICCUPS

Although 85 % of the project is underground—comprising 14 tunnels and 13 bridges—it has encountered mild to major protests and work stoppages a couple of times, mainly in West Bengal. As a result, although the green signal was given toward the end of 2019, work only picked up momentum by 2021. Judging by these hiccups, progress achieved thus far appears satisfactory.

USE OF MODERN MACHINES

Most modern drilling machines used in the project ensure that minimum vibration reaches nearby villages. In the past, blasting work not only disturbed people and caused cracks but also gradually made the affected area susceptible to tremors.

SAFETY ASPECTS OF TUNNELS

Tunnels are safer solutions that pose less threat to ecology and the environment. However, during the construction of a few tunnels in Uttarakhand, sudden seepage of water or falling debris through cracks stranded workers and technical staff for days. Their late rescue led to a countrywide puja and raised doubts about undertaking such constructions in the hills.

DAMAGE CAUSED TO SLOPES SHOULD BE MINIMUM

Full protective measures are undertaken in open areas, which generally abound in thick vegetation. Because the Sikkim project is linear and does not follow a zigzag pattern, earth is ‘cut’ over a much smaller area compared to a road project.

Pre-stressed anchors and bolts are being used to stabilise the slopes for long periods. Reinforced earth walls are also being constructed to strengthen an area prior to any further construction activities.

REGULATING FLOW OF DRAINS

As hill areas always have some waterfalls, drains, or rivulets, sufficient care must be taken so that they do not become a concern with the onset of rains. Gradually, these channels must be stabilised and streamlined. The height of the protection or retention walls is generally 30–40 metres, though it may be higher depending on the location. Flow is regulated by constructing stepped aprons, which resemble beautiful waterfalls when discharge is high.

APPROACH ROAD PRECAUTIONS

Similarly, adequate measures must be taken on both sides of the approach road leading to a station. Short-span bridges, culverts, and causeways are essential to enable unrestricted flow of water from above. In the absence of drains, the passage can be easily damaged.

TO SUM UP

If the vegetation and biodiversity present in an area are not preserved during a long-term project, the expected benefits to the community may not be realised—or may be significantly delayed.

Our aim should be to facilitate rather than obstruct. We should give back to nature if our actions unintentionally pose short-term or long-term threats. In essence, development initiatives must be sustainable.

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