Northeast Frontier Railway Saves 255 Elephants Using AI Alerts and ‘Plan Bee’

NorthEast Frontier Railway saved 255 elephants from train collisions between January and September 2026 using AI alerts and other steps. Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the elephants were rescued in four divisions: 106 in Alipurduar, 14 in Rangiya, 122 in Lumding and 15 in Tinsukia. An AI‑based Intrusion Detection System that uses Distributed Acoustic System technology sends real‑time warnings when elephants approach the tracks. Railway staff act on the alerts and tell train crews to slow down or stop. Temporary and night‑time speed limits are also imposed whenever elephant movement is reported. At vulnerable spots the railway has installed the ‘Plan Bee’ system, which plays amplified honey‑bee sounds to keep elephants away from the line. Underpasses are being built at selected locations to give animals a safe crossing path. Teams patrol regularly, clear vegetation and put up caution signs. The railway is also educating staff, crew, pantry workers and passengers not to toss food waste near tracks, because food can draw elephants. Continuous coordination with the Forest Department allows quick action as soon as movement is detected. Every train‑elephant incident is investigated under safety procedures, and NFR says it will keep improving technology, vigilance and wildlife coordination to protect elephants while running trains safely.

Context

Elephants often travel along forest corridors that intersect railway lines in the Northeast, making collisions a frequent danger. Using acoustic sensors and bee‑sound deterrents is a low‑impact way to warn both animals and trains without harming wildlife.