(Photo Courtesy: NFR)
Maligaon, October 4 (MExN): From January to September 2026, timely interventions by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) personnel helped save 255 elephants across its divisions, informed an official release. These include 106 in Alipurduar Division, 14 in Rangiya, 122 in Lumding and 15 in Tinsukia Division.
The NFR attributed the outcome to intensified measures to prevent elephant-train collisions through technology-driven systems, enhanced vigilance and coordination with the Forest Department.
Several proactive measures in vulnerable areas, including deployment of an artificial intelligence-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) technology had been undertaken to provide real-time alerts on elephant movement near railway tracks, it added.
Other 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.
The ‘Plan Bee’ system, which uses amplified honeybee sounds to deter elephants, has also been installed at vulnerable locations.
The NFR further informed underpasses were constructed at identified locations to facilitate safer wildlife movement and help keep elephants away from railway tracks.
The railway has also been conducting regular sensitisation programmes for train crews, railway staff, pantry car personnel and passengers to prevent food waste from being discarded near railway tracks, which could attract elephants and other animals, it maintained.
Continuous coordination and real-time communication with the Forest Department enable timely action whenever elephant movement is detected, it added.
All cases involving train-elephant collisions are treated with utmost seriousness and investigated as per prescribed safety procedures.
The NFR also affirmed its commitment to continue measure to protect elephants while ensuring safe and efficient train operations across the region.
