The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has taken proactive measures using technology to prevent wild elephant incidents and ensure safe train operations. In 2025 alone, over 160 wild elephants have been safeguarded by NFR. Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma highlighted the success of NFR’s initiatives in wildlife conservation.
A key initiative involves the use of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) based on Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Acoustic System principles. This system alerts loco pilots and control rooms in real-time about elephant movements near railway tracks, enhancing operational safety. The IDS has been deployed in crucial sections passing through elephant corridors, covering a significant length to improve safety in wildlife zones.
NFR is expanding IDS installations in various divisions to cover all elephant corridors under its jurisdiction. Additionally, innovative measures like the ‘Plan Bee’ system, which uses honey bee sounds to deter elephants, are being implemented at vulnerable level crossings. NFR’s collaboration with the Forest Department includes measures like speed restrictions, sensitization of train crews, and vegetation clearance to reduce train-elephant interactions and enhance safety.
Indian Railways, at a national level, is adopting similar technology to protect wildlife near railway tracks. The successful pilot on NFR has led to the system’s expansion to cover more route kilometers across the country, demonstrating a commitment to wildlife conservation and safe railway operations. NFR has already protected over 2,000 elephants crossing railway tracks since 2017, operating in Northeastern states, West Bengal, and north Bihar districts.
