Guwahati, Oct 4: Timely alerts and interventions by railway personnel helped save 255 elephants from train collisions between January and September this year, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said on Sunday, outlining measures to protect wildlife along vulnerable stretches of its network.
In a statement, NFR said it was combining technology-based monitoring, speed restrictions and increased vigilance with close coordination with the Forest Department to prevent collisions.
Among the measures is an artificial intelligence-based Intrusion Detection System that uses Distributed Acoustic System technology to provide real-time alerts about elephant movement near railway tracks. These alerts help railway personnel respond when animals approach vulnerable stretches.
NFR said it also imposes nighttime and temporary speed restrictions based on elephant sightings, increases patrolling and sensitizes train crews. Other measures include cautionary signs, vegetation clearance and real-time communication with forest officials.
At vulnerable locations, the railway has installed its “Plan Bee” system, which uses amplified honeybee sounds to deter elephants. It has also undertaken the construction of underpasses at identified locations to provide safer passage for wildlife.
The railway said it regularly sensitizes staff, train crews, pantry car personnel and passengers against discarding food waste near tracks, where it could attract elephants and other animals.
NFR said every train–elephant collision is investigated under prescribed safety procedures. It added that it would continue strengthening monitoring, frontline vigilance and coordination with wildlife authorities to reduce collision risks while maintaining safe train operations.
