AI Alerts to ‘Plan Bee’: How Railways saved 255 elephants from train collisions in northeast

It provides real-time alerts when elephant movement is detected near railway tracks. This allows railway personnel to take timely preventive action and alert train crews in vulnerable sections.

The zonal railway is also using other measures, including temporary speed restrictions and night-time speed restrictions when elephant movement is reported.

Elephants near railway tracks in the Northeast, where Railways are using technology and other measures to reduce collision risks. (Image: NFR)

• ‘Plan Bee’ used to keep elephants away from tracks

The railway has also installed the ‘Plan Bee’ system at vulnerable locations. The system uses amplified honeybee sounds to discourage elephants from approaching railway tracks. NFR has also taken up the construction of underpasses at identified locations to provide safer routes for wildlife and reduce the need for elephants to cross railway tracks.

Along with these measures, railway teams are carrying out regular patrolling, clearing vegetation at vulnerable locations and installing cautionary signs.

• Train crews and passengers being sensitised

The Railways is also focusing on preventing human activities that could attract elephants towards railway tracks. According to Sharma, railway staff, train crews, pantry car personnel and passengers are being sensitised against throwing food waste near tracks, as discarded food can attract elephants and other animals.

The railway is also maintaining continuous communication with the Forest Department. “Continuous coordination and real-time communication with the Forest Department further enable timely action whenever elephant movement is detected,” he said.

AI alerts, speed restrictions and ‘Plan Bee’ are being used to keep elephants away from railway tracks (Image: NFR)

Probe of train-elephant collisions

The CPRO also added that all cases involving train-elephant collisions are treated seriously and investigated according to prescribed safety procedures.

“All cases involving train–elephant dashing are treated with utmost seriousness and investigated as per the prescribed safety procedures. NFR continues to strengthen technology-based monitoring, frontline vigilance and coordination with wildlife authorities to protect elephants while ensuring safe and efficient train operations across the Northeast,” he said in a statement.