Railways to install AI-enabled system on tracks to ensure safety of elephants

OP AGNIHOTRI / Haldwani

In a significant initiative towards wildlife conservation, the Railway administration has decided to install an advanced AI-enabled Intrusion Detection System to protect elephants in the Lalkuan region. The technology is aimed at detecting the presence of elephants on railway tracks in real time and preventing potential accidents during train operations.

Under the Izzatnagar Division of Northeast Railway, the system will be deployed across 99.18 route kilometres in a phased manner. In the first phase, installation work is underway on 24 route kilometres, covering Lalkuan–Gularbhoj (15.8 km), Chhatarpur–Haldi Road (1.2 km), Haldi Road–Lalkuan (2.7 km), Pantnagar–Lalkuan (1.2 km) and Lalkuan–Haldwani (3.2 km). The Railway administration is also in the process of extending this system to the Kashipur–Ramnagar and Khatima–Banbasa sections.

The AI-based system functions through Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS) using optical fibre technology to identify elephant movements on railway tracks. Based on pre-fed movement signatures of elephants, the system immediately sends alerts to loco pilots, station masters and the control room, enabling timely action to slow down or stop trains and avert mishaps.

In coordination with the Forest department, the Railways has also implemented several additional safety measures, including speed restrictions, warning signboards, underpasses, fencing, honey-bee buzzer devices and thermal cameras. Dedicated elephant corridors have been developed to ensure safe passage of wildlife across railway lines and restricted areas.

The Railway officials stated that the adoption of modern technology would not just enhance the safety of elephants and other wildlife but also strengthen overall railway safety.

The wildlife experts said that the initiative is a commendable step by Indian Railways towards sustainable development and wildlife conservation.