October 21, 2025

Guwahati is buzzing with great news from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR)! They’re rolling out an advanced acoustic-based technology to save majestic elephants from fast-moving trains. This smart system, called the Intrusion Detection System (IDS), uses cutting-edge optical fibre sensors to spot elephant movements near railway tracks. Once detected, it sends real-time alerts to train drivers and control rooms to avoid accidents. NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, proudly shared that trial runs of IDS have already been successful in four key railway sections. These areas include Madarihat-Nagrakata (Alipurduar division), Habaipur-Lamsakhang-Patharkhola-Lumding (Lumding division), Kamakhya-Azara-Mirza (Rangiya division), and Titabar-Mariani-Nakachari (Tinsukia division). Together, they cover a whopping 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of track blocks! "We have undertaken a major initiative to ensure the safety of elephants and smooth train operations by implementing the IDS across the NFR network," Sharma said, highlighting the railway’s deep commitment to both wildlife protection and safe train journeys. Here's how the magic works: When elephants come close to the tracks, their heavy footsteps cause vibrations detected by fibre optic cables. This triggers acoustic signals sent immediately to the control rooms. This real-time warning is a game-changer for train drivers, giving them precious time to slow down or stop. NFR first tested IDS at two sites in 2022, and now the project is expanding! The target is to make this smart system fully functional across all known elephant corridors by April 2026. This move beautifully balances nature and technology, protecting rare wildlife while keeping train services smooth and safe. Sharma summed it up perfectly: "Through this initiative, the NFR reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship and passenger safety. By integrating technology with conservation, NFR is setting a national benchmark for responsible railway operations in biodiversity-rich regions." With this breakthrough, the Northeast Frontier Railway is not just moving trains; it’s moving hearts towards a safer, greener future where both humans and elephants can travel freely!

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Tags: Northeast frontier railway, Elephant safety, Acoustic technology, Intrusion detection system, Wildlife protection, Train safety,