Maligaon | August 19 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said coordination with the Assam Forest Department and vigilance by railway staff have helped facilitate safe elephant crossings in Assam.
On August 19, Forest Department officials coordinated with railway personnel to stop Train No. 20503 (Dibrugarh–New Delhi) Rajdhani Express in the Lumding–Habaipur section, allowing a herd of elephants to cross safely.
NFR said similar incidents occurred on August 15 and 16. Loco pilots of Train Nos. 15665 (Guwahati–Mariani) and 15650 (Narangi–Agartala) acted promptly after elephant sightings in the Lamsakhang–Patharkhola and Habaipur–Lamsakhang sections respectively.
NFR said measures to prevent elephant-train collisions include an AI-based Intrusion Detection System using Distributed Acoustic System technology, speed restrictions based on elephant sightings, enhanced patrolling, crew sensitisation, cautionary signage and coordination with the Forest Department.
It also said the ‘Plan Bee’ system, which uses amplified honeybee sounds to deter elephants, has been installed at vulnerable locations, while underpasses have been constructed at identified sites to facilitate wildlife movement.
