The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has helped save 255 elephants from potential train collisions through a range of technology-driven and preventive measures between January and September this year, railway officials said on Sunday.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the railway has intensified efforts to prevent elephant-train collisions through technology-based monitoring, enhanced vigilance and close coordination with Forest Department officials.
According to Sharma, timely interventions by NFR personnel helped save 255 elephants across its divisions during the nine-month period. These included 106 in Alipurduar Division in West Bengal, 14 in Rangiya, 122 in Lumding and 15 in Tinsukia Division in Assam.
The NFR has deployed an AI-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) technology, which provides real-time alerts about elephant movement near railway tracks in vulnerable areas.
Other preventive measures include temporary and night-time speed restrictions based on elephant sightings, enhanced patrolling, sensitisation of train crews, cautionary signage, vegetation clearance and real-time coordination with the Forest Department.
The railway has also installed the ‘Plan Bee’ system at vulnerable locations. The system uses amplified honeybee sounds to deter elephants from approaching railway tracks, Sharma said.
The NFR has undertaken construction of underpasses at identified locations to facilitate safer movement of wildlife and reduce the need for elephants to cross railway tracks.
Sharma said regular sensitisation programmes were being conducted for train crews, railway staff, pantry car personnel and passengers to discourage the disposal of food waste near railway tracks, which could attract elephants and other animals.
Continuous coordination and real-time communication with the Forest Department enable railway authorities to take timely action whenever elephant movement is detected, he said.
“All cases involving train–elephant dashing are treated with utmost seriousness and investigated as per the prescribed safety procedures,” Sharma said.
The NFR will continue to strengthen technology-based monitoring, frontline vigilance and coordination with wildlife authorities to protect elephants while ensuring safe and efficient train operations across the Northeast, he said.
Headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, the NFR operates across the northeastern states, as well as seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.
(IANS Inputs)
