Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), in close coordination with the Forest Department of Assam and frontline railway staff, has been taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of elephants in crossing railway tracks across the state.
Officials of the Assam Forest Department on Wednesday coordinated with railway officials to facilitate the timely stoppage of Train Number 20503 (Dibrugarh–New Delhi) Rajdhani Express in the Lumding–Habaipur section during the early morning hours.
The prompt action enabled a herd of elephants to cross the railway track safely.
Similar instances have also been reported in recent days, highlighting the vigilance of NFR’s loco pilots.
On August 15, the alertness of the loco pilot of Train Number 15665 (Guwahati–Mariani) Express enabled a herd of elephants to safely cross the track in the Lamsakhang – Patharkhola section.
Likewise, on August 16, the loco pilot of Train Number 15650 (Narangi – Agartala) Express took timely action to facilitate the safe passage of elephants in the Habaipur – Lamsakhang section.
These instances reflect the effective coordination between NFR and the Forest Department, along with the vigilance and sense of responsibility of railway running staff, in preventing elephant–train interactions and protecting wildlife in elephant corridors.
“NFR has taken several proactive and technology-driven measures to prevent elephant–train collisions in vulnerable areas. These include deployment of AI-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) technology, which provides real-time alerts on elephant movement near tracks,” NFR CPRO, K.K Sharma said.
“Other preventive measures include night-time and temporary speed restrictions based on elephant sightings, enhanced patrolling, sensitisation of train crews, cautionary signage, vegetation clearance and real-time coordination with the Forest Department,” Sharma said.
The ‘Plan Bee’ system, using amplified honeybee sounds to deter elephants, has also been installed at vulnerable locations.
NFR has further undertaken the construction of underpasses at identified locations to facilitate safer wildlife movement and keep elephants away from railway tracks.
