Udaipur: A sustained campaign to save animals along the railway track has finally yielded results, as the Railways has initiated the process of allocating ₹158 crore for fencing and boundary wall construction along the Chittorgarh–Udaipur–Himmatnagar–Asarwa railway line. The move follows a two-and-a-half-year-long awareness drive led by villagers and organisations demanding protective measures after frequent incidents of cattle deaths following the commencement of train operations on the Udaipur–Asarwa broad gauge line.

Inspired by the principles of compassion toward living beings as preached in Lord Mahavir’s teachings and Sanatan Dharma, the campaign was launched in February 2023 by social activists Himalaya Jain and Bharat Kumar Jain along with their team from Semari. They conducted awareness drives across 54 villages, met public representatives and senior railway officials in Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur and Dungarpur, and submitted multiple memorandums seeking fencing along the Udaipur–Dungarpur railway track.

Railway officials have now given written assurance regarding the fencing, confirming that the work is expected to begin by March 2026. In view of this assurance and the confirmation of budget allocation, the proposed mass protest scheduled at Udaipur City Railway Station on January 1 has been put on hold. Locals and campaigners have welcomed the decision, expressing hope that fencing will significantly reduce animal fatalities and ensure safer rail operations on the route. DeshGujarat