Guwahati, Aug 19 — Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), in close coordination with the Forest Department of Assam and through the alertness of its frontline railway staff, is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of elephants crossing railway tracks across Assam, officials said on Wednesday.
NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that on Wednesday, officials of the Assam Forest Department coordinated with railway officials to facilitate the timely stoppage of the 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 the Guwahati–Mariani Express enabled a herd of elephants to cross the track in the Lamsakhang–Patharkhola section safely. Likewise, on August 16, the loco pilot of the Narangi–Agartala Express took timely action to facilitate the safe passage of elephants in the Habaipur–Lamsakhang section.
Sharma said 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 an AI-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) technology, which provides real-time alerts on elephant movement near tracks.
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. 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. Sharma said NFR remains committed to adopting innovative technologies, strengthening coordination with wildlife authorities, and enhancing the vigilance of its frontline staff to ensure safe train operations while protecting the region's rich wildlife.
Timely interventions are particularly important in NFR's elephant corridors, where coordinated efforts by railway personnel and Forest Department officials play a crucial role in preventing elephant–train collisions, he noted.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.