Indian Railways has significantly expanded the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to protect wildlife, especially elephants, along railway tracks in ecologically sensitive regions. The technology combines AI‑enabled cameras with an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) that uses distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) to identify the presence of large animals near the tracks and send real‑time alerts to loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms up to about half a kilometre in advance. This early warning gives train crews time to slow down or stop, helping prevent collisions that can injure or kill wildlife and derail trains, addressing a long‑standing safety concern.
The system was first deployed along a 141‑kilometre stretch of the Northeast Frontier Railway, where it has been functioning successfully in areas prone to elephant crossings. Encouraged by positive results, Indian Railways has awarded tenders to expand the AI‑based system to cover an additional 981 route kilometres, bringing the total planned coverage to about 1,122 kilometres. This expansion is part of a broader national initiative to extend AI‑driven wildlife protection technology across vulnerable corridors.
The IDS does more than detect elephants; planned upgrades will include AI‑based cameras that can alert train drivers to the presence of other large animals such as lions and tigers. These technologies work by analysing sound and movement patterns near the rail line and flagging potential risks to railway operations in real time. By integrating AI with sensor networks, the railways aim to balance efficient train movement with wildlife conservation goals.
Officials say the investment in AI aligns with Indian Railways’ commitment to both passenger safety and environmental stewardship, reducing the number of wildlife deaths and improving operational safety in forested and animal‑habitat regions. The technology‑driven approach represents a growing trend in using real‑time data and machine learning to mitigate human‑wildlife conflicts along transport corridors.
