SC Greenlights 26,000-Cr Plan Mumbai: Wildlife activists said the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) project, which received clearance from the apex court last week, should not “disrupt movement of animals” in sanctuaries. Campaigners feel that the railway network, which will cut through Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Tungareshwar sanctuary, may endanger natural habitat. They said the planners of the Rs 26,000-crore project should also envisage construction of underpasses or bridges. “The forest passageway is important as it facilitates movement of animals, including leopards between the two sanctuaries. Officials should ensure that their movement is not affected,” said a wildlife expert. “ The corridor has to take into consideration that animals use the area for migration. It could disturb the stretch connecting SGNP and Tungareshwar sanctuary,” said Vidya Athreya, researcher at Centre for Wildlife Studies and Wildlife Conservation Society. “The project’s planners need to take maximum precaution while laying the new tracks in forest areas without disturbing its balance,” she added. A government official allayed concern about environmental problems. Decks are being cleared for phase II of the project from Vadodara (Gujarat) to JNPT. “The project’s success depends on its connectivity to the nation’s busiest port, we will ensure that key clearances are in place for its execution,” said an official. “The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (a PSU under the railways ministry) has made efforts for minimum disturbance to the ecologically and environmentally sensitive areas by making detours as much as possible. It has resolved to protect the environment and its surroundings around the railway network,” said a senior government official. During the process of receiving the final nod from the Supreme Court, planners approached all the authorities and got permission from the office of principal chief conservator of forests, Maharashtra, the State Board of Wildlife and the National Board of Wildlife. They have incorporated all the stipulations suggesting measures to minimize threat and disturbance to wildlife before submitting the application to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, a source said. The CEC had recommended the proposal after conducting a detailed inspection of the site with the project’s planners and state forest officials. KEY INFRA PROJECT GATHERS STEAM Western Dedicated Cargo Corridor The 1,483-km link that will connect Delhi to JNPT is expected to cost 26,000 cr It will pass through Rewari (Haryana), Phulera and Marwar (Rajasthan), Sanad and Makarpura (Gujarat), Dahanu and Vasai (Maharashtra); link major ports like Kandla, Pipavav, Mundra, Okha and JNPT Time taken to ferry goods between Delhi and JNPT will reduce from five days to a single day Double-decker trains on corridor will carry 15,000 tonnes cargo. Current tonnage only 3,500 tonnes Maharashtra government will need to acquire 19.16-hectare forest land for project Part of railway line will pass between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tungareshwar forest sanctuary Sanjay Gandhi National Park Home to over 250 species of migratory, land and water birds, 50,000 species of insects, and more than 40 species of mammals* Thirty-eight species of reptiles, nine species of amphibians and also 150 species of butterflies found in sanctuary MAMMALS | Spotted deer, rhesus macaque, bonnet macaque, Indian hare, barking deer, porcupine, Asian palm civet, hyena, leopard, sambar and mouse deer BIRDS| Jungle owlet, golden oriole, racket-tailed drongo, minivet, magpie, robin, hornbill, bulbul, sunbird, peacock and woodpecker FLORA | 1,000 species Tungareshwar MAMMALS | Leopard, rusty-spotted cat, common palm civet, jackal, fox, common langur, common mongoose, black-naped hare, sambar and barking deer BIRDS | 150 species, including common kestrel, peregrine falcon, crested serpent eagle, hornbill, grey jungle fowl FLORA | 500 species