Source: IE
Context: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has implemented an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) across key elephant corridors to prevent elephant deaths caused by train collisions.
About Intrusion Detection System (IDS):
What it is?
- An AI- and sensor-based surveillance mechanism that uses optical fibre cables to detect movement of elephants or other wildlife near railway tracks and alert control rooms instantly to prevent collisions.
Launched by: The initiative has been launched by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) under the Ministry of Railways.
Aim:
- To reduce elephant fatalities due to train collisions in sensitive wildlife corridors.
- To ensure safe train operations and improve human–wildlife coexistence.
- To integrate technology-driven conservation measures into railway management.
How it Works?
- The system uses vibration-sensitive fibre optic cables laid along railway tracks.
- When an elephant or large animal moves near the tracks, the vibrations trigger real-time signals.
- These signals are transmitted to control rooms and train drivers, enabling immediate speed regulation or halting of trains.
- The alerts are also used to monitor wildlife movement trends for long-term conservation planning.
Key Features:
- Coverage: Operational in four pilot sections across Alipurduar, Lumding, Rangiya, and Tinsukia Divisions, covering 64.03 km of elephant corridors.
- Expansion Plan: To be extended to an additional 146.4 km by April 2026, taking the total network to 210 km.
- Dual Functionality: Provides wildlife protection while maintaining operational efficiency.
- Real-time alerts: Allows instant communication between field sensors and central monitoring systems.
- Data integration: Enables long-term data collection for route planning and habitat preservation.
