News Brief
NFR To Deploy Acoustic Technology To Safeguard Elephants On Railway Tracks
An elephant crossing a railway track near Siliguri (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE) (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/5004641148">Rikki’s Refuge</a>/Flickr)
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will deploy a cutting-edge acoustic-based system across its network by April 2026 to prevent elephants from being killed by speeding trains, a senior official confirmed.
The Intrusion Detection System (IDS) uses advanced optical fibre sensing technology to detect elephant movements near railway tracks, reported Hinduatan Times.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said, “We have undertaken a major initiative to ensure the safety of elephants and smooth train operations by implementing the IDS across the NFR network.”
When elephants approach the tracks, the system captures vibrations from their movement through the cables and immediately sends acoustic alerts to train drivers and control rooms, enabling timely preventive action.
Sharma explained, “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.”
NFR first installed the IDS at two locations in the Lumding and Alipurduar divisions in 2022.
Together, these pilot sections cover 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of block sections.
The next phase will extend IDS across the remaining 146.4 km of identified elephant corridors, aiming for full operational readiness by April 2026.
By combining technology with conservation, NFR seeks to protect wildlife while maintaining smooth railway operations through forested and elephant-inhabited regions.
