The cabinet on Tuesday approved construction of an underpass on Bagaha-Chitauni section of East Central Railway that passes through Valmiki Tiger Reserve, aiming to protect the lives of the forest animals.

The cabinet also approved the environment and forest department’s proposal to erect fencing along both sides of the track so that animals cannot go towards the track, instead they would cross the line through the proposed underpass, cabinet secretary Brajesh Mehrotra told reporters.

The cabinet sanctioned the revised estimate of Rs 20.31 crore for construction of the underpass and fencing in the VTR area, Mehrotra said, making it clear that Rs 2.16 crore would be spent in 2014-15.

“It has been witnessed that in the past three-four years, several wild animals have been crushed to death while crossing the Bagaha-Chitauni tracks,” the secretary said.

Around 6km of the tracks passes through the Madanpur range, which falls in the western part of the VTR, situated around 290km northwest of Patna. The section was made operational in 1992 and more than 12 passenger and goods trains pass through the stretch every day. Around 45 animals were crushed to death between 2006 and 2012 by trains.

In another decision, the cabinet approved appointment of 35 professionals to strengthen the functioning of Bihar State Planning Board.

The professionals, including economists, statisticians, mathematicians, trained persons for carrying out surveys, would help the board in formulating annual and five year plans, mid-term appraisal and evaluation of the plans and would also help in carrying out research, Mehrotra said.

The cabinet also gave its nod to constitute Bihar State Fishermen Commission for the welfare of fishermen engaged in the production of pisciculture.