Flood approaching; speed guns on highway along Kaziranga National Park out of order

The NGT had also ordered the imposition of ₹5,000 as fine on each vehicle exceeding the speed limit as environmental compensation, for endangering the wild fauna.

GUWAHATI

Speed sensors along a 44-km stretch of a national highway flanking the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, have not been operational since February.

Less than a month after flagging the non-functional speed guns installed at four critical animal corridors in keeping with a series of directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), an eastern Assam-based environment activist submitted a reminder to the State’s Chief Secretary, Paban Kumar Barthakur on June 20.

“…Give necessary directions for re-operationalising the ANPR (automatic number plate recognising) installed in the designated animal corridors…,” Rohit Choudhury wrote, pointing out that the speed guns have not been working since February 1 despite a budgetary provision of ₹4.95 crore for the 2022-23 fiscal for maintaining the cameras.

Consequently, vehicles have been crossing the stretch from Rangalu to Borjuri at 80-90 kmph. The speed guns could have helped keep the speed limit within 40 kmph, as mandated by the NGT, he said in the letter.

The NGT had also ordered the imposition of ₹5,000 as fine on each vehicle exceeding the speed limit as environmental compensation, for endangering the wild fauna.

Mr. Choudhury stressed the need to make the speed guns operational ahead of the approaching floods. Every year, animals escaping the flooded rhinoceros habitat often get run over by speeding vehicles while trying to cross the highway to reach the safety of the Karbi Anglong hills.