Bhubaneswar: The railways has taken steps to enhance passenger and operational safety by installing fencing along railway tracks across the East Coast Railway (ECoR) jurisdiction. Officials said nearly 600 km of fencing has already been completed out of the total 3,092 km railway network in the zone, with work progressing in a phased manner.The initiative is aimed primarily at curbing trespassing and reducing accidents involving both humans and cattle, a recurring concern for railway authorities. Senior officials said vulnerable stretches, particularly those passing through densely populated areas and regions prone to cattle movement, are being prioritised for fencing.Around 300 km stretch in the ECoR has been specifically designed to stop cattle runover. “Track intrusion is one of the major causes of accidents and disruptions in rail operations. By putting up fencing, we aim to significantly reduce such incidents while ensuring smoother train movement,” said a senior railway official.Railway authorities noted that unauthorised crossings and stray cattle often lead to sudden braking, delays and, in some cases, derailments or fatalities. The fencing project, they said, is expected to mitigate these risks and improve overall operational efficiency.The work involves installation of durable barriers along both sides of the tracks, using materials suited to local terrain and climatic conditions. In addition to fencing, the railways are also focusing on awareness drives in nearby habitations to discourage track trespassing.Sources said the project aligns with Indian Railways’ broader push to modernise infrastructure and improve safety standards across the country. The phased execution is intended to ensure minimal disruption to existing train services while steadily expanding coverage.Official sources said coordination with local authorities is underway to address issues such as access points for villagers and cattle crossings, ensuring that safety measures do not inconvenience communities.Once completed, the fencing across critical sections is expected to bring down incidents of runovers and collisions significantly, while boosting punctuality and reliability of train services in the region. “Speed limit of different stretches in the ECoR has increased to 130 km per hour. After completion of fencing, trains can increase their speeds,” said a railway officer.
