A social media group has urged the authorities to construct an elephant crossing corridor bridge on the Coimbatore-Palakkad railway line near Madukkarai and name it ‘Maharaj’, to put an end to the killing of elephants by speeding trains.

The Help Our Precious Elephants (HOPE), a face book group, through the online signature campaign has decided to bring it to the notice of the Ministers of Forest and Environment – at the Centre and in the State, and the Railway Minister.

“The elephants of Madukkarai, Coimbatore, are being killed by speeding trains. The elephants must cross these tracks to take their paths that they have followed for generations,” the post www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/395/778/460 said.

It alleged that their paths have been blocked by humans in the name of development. The group has invited supporters to urge both Central and State Governments to construct a corridor bridge over the tracks to help the animals cross it without being hit by trains.

Meanwhile, sources say the Southern Railways may soon call for a meeting with forest department officials from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The Railways has submitted a Rs. 30 crore proposal to construct subways near Madukkarai and Kanjikode in Kerala.

The Railways has also approached Palakkad MP M.B. Rajesh to provide funds from the MPLAD scheme. Over 20 elephants have been killed on the tracks in the area in the last 15 years.