3 hrs ago
Northeast Frontier Railway Says Measures Helped Save 255 Elephants
Elephants sometimes move near railway tracks, where they could be hit by trains.
Northeast Frontier Railway says it helped protect 255 elephants from collisions between January and September 2026.
The railway reported saves in four divisions: Alipurduar, Rangiya, Lumding and Tinsukia.
It uses an AI system that can send alerts when elephants are near tracks.
Workers also patrol, and trains may have to travel more slowly when elephants are sighted.
Plan Bee plays amplified honeybee sounds to keep elephants away from railway tracks.
The railway says it coordinates with the Forest Department.
It is also building some underpasses to help wildlife move more safely.
Staff and passengers are being reminded not to leave food waste near tracks because it can attract animals.
Northeast Frontier Railway said its interventions helped save 255 elephants from train collisions between January and September 2026.
The reported totals were 106 in Alipurduar, 14 in Rangiya, 122 in Lumding and 15 in Tinsukia.
Measures include an AI-based Intrusion Detection System using Distributed Acoustic System technology to alert staff to elephant movement near tracks.
Other measures include speed restrictions, enhanced patrolling, crew sensitisation, warning signs, vegetation clearance and coordination with the Forest Department.
NFR also uses Plan Bee, builds underpasses at identified locations and discourages food waste near railway tracks.
- Who
- Northeast Frontier Railway personnel, working with the Forest Department, and elephants near railway tracks.
- What
- NFR said its collision-prevention measures helped save 255 elephants.
- Where
- NFR's Alipurduar, Rangiya, Lumding and Tinsukia divisions.
- When
- January to September 2026; the announcement was reported on October 4.
- Why
- To prevent elephant-train collisions in vulnerable areas.
Key facts
- Elephants reportedly saved
- 255
- Reporting period
- January to September 2026
- Alipurduar Division
- 106 elephants
- Rangiya Division
- 14 elephants
- Lumding Division
- 122 elephants
- Tinsukia Division
- 15 elephants
- Detection system
- AI-based Intrusion Detection System using Distributed Acoustic System technology
- Plan Bee
- Uses amplified honeybee sounds to keep elephants away from train tracks
Quotes
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma
NFR chief spokesperson
“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.”
indianexpress.com
“Continuous coordination and real-time communication with the forest department further enable timely action whenever elephant movement is detected.”
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
Sources
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