Guwahati: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced plans to implement advanced acoustic-based technology across its network by April 2026 to prevent elephant fatalities caused by speeding trains, officials said.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the Intrusion Detection System (IDS), which uses optical fibre sensing to detect elephant movement near railway tracks, has already been successfully trialled in four key sections.
The system generates real-time alerts for train drivers and control rooms, allowing timely preventive action.
“This initiative is aimed at ensuring the safety of elephants while maintaining smooth train operations across forested and elephant-inhabited zones,” Sharma said.
“By integrating technology with conservation, NFR is setting a national benchmark for responsible railway operations in biodiversity-rich regions.”
The IDS works by detecting vibrations caused by elephants approaching the tracks.
These vibrations trigger acoustic signals that are sent immediately to the control room, enabling swift action to avoid collisions.
Pilot installations have been completed at the following sections: Madarihat–Nagrakata in the Alipurduar division, Habaipur–Lamsakhang–Patharkhola–Lumding in the Lumding division, Kamakhya–Azara–Mirza in the Rangiya division, and Titabar–Mariani–Nakachari in Tinsukia.
ALSO READ: Ayodhya Deepotsav sets two Guinness World Records this Diwali
Collectively, these sections cover 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of railway block sections.
The IDS was first introduced at two locations in the Lumding and Alipurduar divisions in 2022.
Following the successful trials, NFR now plans to extend the system to the remaining 146.4 km of elephant corridors within its jurisdiction.
Sharma emphasised that the project reflects NFR’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and passenger safety, balancing operational efficiency with wildlife conservation.
