For years, India's railway network has presented a significant threat to its elephant population, with tragic collisions occurring all too frequently. However, Indian Railways is now actively adopting technological solutions, particularly AI-powered systems, to mitigate these accidents and ensure the safety of these animals. Train collisions are the second leading cause of unnatural elephant deaths in India, after electrocution. Recognizing this critical issue, Indian Railways has been working to implement innovative measures to protect elephants in areas where railway tracks intersect with their habitats.
One of the most promising solutions is the AI-enabled Intrusion Detection System (IDS). This system uses Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS) to detect the presence of elephants and other wildlife on railway tracks. The technology relies on optical fibers, hardware, and pre-installed signatures of elephant movements. When an elephant is detected near the tracks, the system immediately alerts loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms, enabling them to take preventive action. These actions may include reducing train speed or stopping the train entirely to allow the elephant safe passage.
The AI-based surveillance system, sometimes referred to as the "Gajraj System," utilizes a network of sensitive optical fiber cables to detect elephants approaching railway tracks. These cables sense pressure waves generated by the elephants' movements, identifying vibrations caused by their footsteps. This triggers alarms to station masters, who then warn locomotive pilots in the area. Impressively, the AI algorithm boasts a 99.5 percent accuracy rate in detecting potential collisions.
The implementation of the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) has already shown promising results. In the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone, the introduction of IDS in 11 elephant corridors has reportedly eliminated elephant deaths due to train collisions. Following this success, Indian Railways plans to expand the technology to cover more vulnerable areas. As of March 2025, the IDS is operational over 141 km of railway routes in critical locations identified by the forest department within the Northeast Frontier Railway. Further expansion is underway, with sanctioned projects aiming to cover a total of 1,158 km of rail routes across various railway zones.
Sensonic, a company specializing in sensing solutions, secured a multi-million contract to implement its elephant detection system within Indian Railways' East Coast network. This project will deploy fiber optic and AI sensing technology across more than 30 elephant corridors, spanning over 400km of railway. The system uses Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) to "listen" for approaching elephants, detecting vibrations transmitted through fiber optic cables buried alongside the tracks. The AI-enabled system then analyzes the data and sends real-time alerts to railway staff.
In addition to AI-driven systems, Indian Railways is employing other measures to prevent elephant collisions. These include constructing underpasses and ramps for elephant movement at identified locations. Innovative "Honey Bee" buzzer devices are also being used along railway tracks to deter elephants and other wildlife. These buzzers emit a sound that repels elephants, encouraging them to move away from the tracks. Thermal vision cameras are also being tested to detect animals on straight tracks during nighttime or periods of poor visibility.
The efforts of the Indian Railways are showing tangible results. Elephant deaths due to train collisions have decreased from 26 in 2013 to 12 in 2024. This progress reflects the commitment to protecting India's wildlife while maintaining efficient and safe railway operations. By integrating technology with traditional conservation methods, Indian Railways is paving the way for a sustainable coexistence between humans and elephants.
