GUWAHATI: Over 144 elephants have been killed in train collisions in the past one and a half decades in Assam and West Bengal. Train collisions have taken the lives of 225 elephants across the country in the same period. The growing number of trains hitting the jumbo animal has prompted the railway department to think outside the box. To reduce elephant casualties, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has deployed modern technology along the railway tracks across the region. NFR intensified its efforts to prevent elephant–train collisions through a combination of technology-driven systems, enhanced vigilance and close coordination with the Forest Department. From January to September 2026, timely interventions by NFR personnel helped save 255 elephants across its divisions, including 106 in Alipurduar Division, 14 in Rangiya, 122 in Lumding and 15 in Tinsukia Division.
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.
NFR is regularly sensitising 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. Continuous coordination and real-time communication with the Forest Department further enable timely action whenever elephant movement is detected.
All cases involving train–elephant dashing are treated with utmost seriousness and investigated as per the prescribed safety procedures. NFR continues to strengthen technology-based monitoring, frontline vigilance and coordination with wildlife authorities to protect elephants while ensuring safe and efficient train operations across the Northeast. Natural conservation organisations said the NFR will expand technology-driven systems across all elephant corridors in the region to ensure zero such incidents.
