Amrabad Tiger Reserve Announces Crackdown on Speeding Vehicles

While the ban on plastics was announced last month with July-end as the target date, the tiger reserve officials on Sunday issued a circular declaring that vehicles passing through the forest area to and from the Srisailam temple town, must adhere to the speed limit of 30 km per hour.

Hundreds of vehicles, including RTC and private buses, pass through the highway in the tiger reserve every day and their number increases during weekends, holidays and festival days.

Forest range officer for Mannanur K. Easwar said that as part of controlling vehicle speeds through the 54-km forest road from Mannanur village to Eagalpenta, the speed breakers on the road have been doubled to 24, while the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which maintains the road – NH 765 – also added rumble strips.

“Those apart, two patrol vehicles are being used to monitor traffic speeds from the two ends of the forest road till the mid-point at Vatvarlapally village through which the highway passes. We are also in the process of procuring speed guns. Signages, warning against crossing the speed limit, have already been put up by NHAI,” he said.

Until the tiger reserve officials procure speed guns, they will follow the system adopted at Tirumala Hills, where Fastag time stamps at the entry and exit points will be checked to see if a vehicle was speeding.

“Typically it takes around 1.45 hours to cover the 54-km forest road stretch if vehicles observe the speed limits. If anyone is taking less time, then it indicates that the vehicle was over speeding. Even if driving fast, people can stop for a break along the road and the time taken can still be what it takes to cross the forest stretch. And to ensure people do not stop, get down either for a picnic, or go into the forest, the patrolling staff will ensure no vehicle stops in the middle of the forest,” he said.

Speeding vehicles cause a number of road kills of wildlife, particularly reptiles like snakes, and slow flying large birds. Four months ago, a RTC bus hit a spotted deer killing the animal on the spot, he said. Anyone found littering in the forest, will face an automatic fine of `1,000. And anyone driving a vehicle beyond the speed limit will also face fines, the official added.