In the wake of a devastating incident where eight elephants were killed by a Rajdhani Express in Assam last Saturday, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is fast-tracking a major technological upgrade. The railway zone is expanding its artificial intelligence-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to cover every single elephant corridor within its network, aiming to create a comprehensive safety shield for wildlife.
AI Technology at the Forefront of Prevention
According to NFR chief public relations officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, technology-driven initiatives have yielded highly encouraging outcomes. In 2025 alone, these measures have saved more than 160 elephants, contributing to a remarkable total of over 2,000 elephant lives preserved since 2017 across the NFR's jurisdiction. The cornerstone of this success is the advanced AI-powered IDS.
This system operates on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) principles. It continuously monitors areas near railway tracks, detecting elephant movements in real-time. Upon detection, it instantly sends alerts to locomotive pilots and control rooms, enabling swift preventive action to avoid collisions.
Current Coverage and Ambitious Expansion Plans
At present, the protective net of IDS installations covers 62.7 kilometers of identified elephant corridors and 131 kilometers of block sections within the NFR zone. However, the vision is far more extensive. The CPRO stated that upon completion, the system will envelop all elephant corridors under NFR, spanning a total of 146.4 km, with an overall block section length of 413.42 km.
"This will create a robust and comprehensive safety network," Sharma emphasized. The expansion is a direct response to recent tragedies and underscores a commitment to co-existence.
Multi-Pronged Strategy for Elephant Safety
Beyond the AI system, NFR employs a suite of innovative and traditional measures to minimize dangerous interactions between trains and elephants. One notable method is 'Plan Bee', where amplified honeybee sounds are played at vulnerable level crossing gates. The sound, audible up to 400 meters, effectively deters elephants, who naturally avoid bees.
In close coordination with the forest department, NFR has implemented several other critical steps:
- Real-time information sharing between railway and forest officials.
- Enforcing night-time speed restrictions in known elephant corridors.
- Imposing temporary speed curbs based on fresh elephant sightings.
- Sensitization programs for train crews on wildlife protection.
- Installation of cautionary signage and clearance of vegetation to improve visibility for pilots.
This holistic approach addresses the challenge from multiple angles, combining cutting-edge technology with grassroots awareness and cooperation.
National Rollout of a Proven System
The success of the IDS on the NFR has paved the way for a national initiative. Indian Railways is now deploying this proven technology across other vulnerable parts of the country. This national expansion will cover an additional 981 route kilometers, taking the total protective coverage across Indian Railways to an impressive 1,122 route kilometers.
This large-scale deployment reinforces Indian Railways' dual commitment to wildlife conservation and ensuring safe, uninterrupted train operations. The move signals a significant shift towards proactive, tech-enabled environmental stewardship within one of the world's largest railway networks.
