AI-Powered Safeguard: Protecting India's Elephants on Railway Tracks

The Ministry of Railways partners with the Ministry of Environment to launch an AI-enabled Intrusion Detection System. The system uses Distributed Acoustic Sensors to detect elephants on railway tracks, alerting train crews to prevent accidents. The proactive initiative extends across critical railway corridors throughout India.

The Indian Ministry of Railways, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, has unveiled an innovative Artificial Intelligence-enabled Intrusion Detection System (IDS) aimed at saving elephants from train collisions. The cutting-edge system utilizes Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS) to recognize elephant presence on railway tracks, promptly notifying loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms.

Equipped with Optical Fibre, hardware, and pre-installed elephant locomotion signatures, the system provides real-time alerts, enabling timely preventive actions. Currently operational over 141 Rkms on Northeast Frontier Railway's most vulnerable spots, the IDS project has extended to multiple identified corridors across Indian Railways, addressing potential high-risk areas.

In instances of train-elephant collisions, Zonal Railways and the Forest Department coordinate closely, enforcing speed restrictions and educating train crews. Fencing, underpasses, and warning signs are among other measures in place to avert such incidents. Further, innovations like Honey Bee buzzers and thermal cameras ensure comprehensive wildlife protection on railway tracks.

(With inputs from agencies.)