Maligaon (Guwahati), Oct 19 : The Northeast Frontier Railway has begun deploying an optical fibre–based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to warn of elephant movement near tracks, aiming to enhance wildlife protection and train operations in forested stretches. Trial installations now cover 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of block sections across four sections, officials said.

The trials have been commissioned in the Madarihat–Nagrakata section under Alipurduar Division; Habaipur–Lamsakhang–Patharkhola–Lumding under Lumding Division; Kamakhya–Azara–Mirza under Rangiya Division; and Titabar–Mariani–Nakachari under Tinsukia Division.

The fibre-sensing IDS detects movement along the trackside and generates real-time alerts to drivers and control rooms for timely preventive action.

Following the successful trials, NFR plans to extend IDS coverage to the remaining 146.4 route km of identified elephant-corridor sections, with completion targeted for April 2026.

NFR said the initiative aligns with its focus on sustainable operations, environmental stewardship and passenger safety in biodiversity-rich areas.