Guwahati: In a significant move towards safeguarding wildlife, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is set to deploy cutting-edge acoustic-based technology throughout its rail network by April next year. This initiative aims to dramatically reduce the number of elephants tragically killed by high-speed trains.
According to NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, trial runs of the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) have already been successfully completed in four key railway sections. The IDS leverages advanced optical fibre sensing technology to identify elephant movements near the tracks. This system provides crucial real-time alerts to train drivers and control rooms, enabling them to take immediate preventive measures.
“We have initiated a major project to ensure the safety of elephants and maintain smooth train operations by deploying the IDS across the entire NFR network,” Sharma stated. He emphasized that this innovative system is designed to protect wildlife while ensuring operational efficiency, particularly in areas where railway lines traverse forested regions and are frequented by elephants.
The technology works by detecting vibrations from the elephants’ movement through the installed cables. These vibrations are then converted into acoustic signals that are transmitted to the control room. NFR first piloted the IDS in 2022 at two locations in the Lumding and Alipurduar divisions.
The comprehensive rollout is targeted for completion by April 2026, at which point the system is expected to be fully operational across all identified elephant corridors. The successful trials have already been conducted in four important NFR sections: Madarihat–Nagrakata (Alipurduar division), Habaipur–Lamsakhang–Patharkhola–Lumding (Lumding division), Kamakhya–Azara–Mirza (Rangiya division), and Titabar–Mariani–Nakachari (Tinsukia division).
These initial installations cover approximately 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of block sections. This phase marks a substantial step in the railway’s ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation and ensuring safe train movements. The next stage will extend the IDS implementation across the remaining 146.4 km of NFR’s elephant corridors.
Sharma added that this endeavor underscores NFR’s dedication to sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and passenger safety. By integrating technology with conservation efforts, NFR is establishing a national standard for responsible railway operations in regions rich in biodiversity.