Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Railway, Assam Forest Department Coordinate to Protect Elephants
Elephants sometimes need to cross railway tracks in Assam.
Trains can be dangerous for them if they are not seen in time.
Railway workers and forest officials are working together to keep the elephants safe.
On 19 August 2026, a Rajdhani Express was stopped so a herd could cross.
Train drivers also helped elephant herds cross safely on 15 and 16 August.
The railway uses special technology to detect elephants near tracks.
It also uses speed limits, patrols, warning signs and trained train crews.
A system called Plan Bee uses honeybee sounds to discourage elephants from going onto the tracks.
Underpasses are also being built to provide safer routes for wildlife.
Northeast Frontier Railway and Assam’s Forest Department helped elephant herds safely cross railway tracks.
A Rajdhani Express was stopped on 19 August 2026 in the Lumding–Habaipur section.
Loco pilots also enabled safe elephant crossings on 15 and 16 August 2026.
NFR uses AI-based intrusion detection, speed restrictions, patrols and crew training to reduce collision risks.
The railway has installed Plan Bee systems and is building underpasses in vulnerable areas.
- Who
- Northeast Frontier Railway, the Assam Forest Department, railway staff and elephant herds.
- What
- Railway and forest officials coordinated train stoppages and other safety measures to prevent elephant–train collisions.
- When
- A recent incident occurred on 19 August 2026; similar incidents were reported on 15 and 16 August 2026.
- Where
- Railway sections in Assam, including Lumding–Habaipur, Lamsakhang–Patharkhola and Habaipur–Lamsakhang.
- Why
- To protect elephants crossing railway tracks while maintaining safe train operations.
- Main agencies
- Northeast Frontier Railway and the Forest Department of Assam
- Recent train stoppage
- Train No. 20503, Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express, was stopped on 19 August 2026.
- Other safe crossings
- Train Nos. 15665 and 15650 were involved in safe elephant crossings on 15 and 16 August 2026.
- Detection technology
- NFR uses an AI-based Intrusion Detection System with Distributed Acoustic System technology.
- Additional measures
- These include speed restrictions, enhanced patrolling, crew sensitisation, warning signs and vegetation clearance.
- Elephant deterrent
- The Plan Bee system uses amplified honeybee sounds to deter elephants from railway tracks.
- Infrastructure
- NFR is constructing underpasses at identified locations to support safer wildlife movement.