Northeast Frontier Railway Rolls Out Intrusion Detection System to Protect Elephants and Ensure Train Safety

Guwahati, 18th October: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to enhance wildlife conservation and train safety with the implementation of an advanced Intrusion Detection System (IDS) across its network. Designed to safeguard elephants and ensure smooth rail operations, the IDS employs cutting-edge optical fibre sensing technology capable of detecting elephant movements near railway tracks. This real-time monitoring system promptly generates alerts for train drivers and control rooms, enabling swift preventive action to avert accidents.

According to an official statement given by Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR, the IDS trial works have been successfully commissioned in four crucial sections. These include the Madarihat–Nagrakata section under Alipurduar Division, the Habaipur–Lamsakhang–Patharkhola–Lumding section under Lumding Division, the Kamakhya–Azara–Mirza section under Rangiya Division, and the Titabar–Mariani–Nakachari section under Tinsukia Division. Together, these pilot projects encompass 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of block sections, marking a significant achievement in NFR’s ongoing efforts to protect wildlife and ensure safer train movement.

The successful completion of these trial sections has laid the foundation for the next phase of IDS deployment across an additional 146.4 route kilometres of elephant corridor sections within NFR. The project is slated for full implementation by April 2026, when the system will become operational throughout all identified elephant zones.

With this initiative, the Northeast Frontier Railway reiterates its commitment to sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and passenger safety. By merging technological innovation with ecological conservation, NFR is setting a national example for responsible railway operations in biodiversity-rich landscapes.