Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 5: Indian Railways has rolled out an Artificial Intelligence-powered intrusion detection system across key stretches of the Northeast Frontier Railway to spot elephants on tracks and prevent fatal collisions, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The system identifies elephant movement using a Distributed Acoustic System and immediately alerts loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms so preventive action can be taken in real time.

The initiative is particularly crucial for regions like Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha, where railway lines intersect major elephant corridors, often resulting in tragic and avoidable wildlife deaths. To widen the protective net, tenders covering an additional 981 route kilometres have already been finalised for further deployment of the AI system.

Indian Railways is simultaneously piloting AI-driven predictive maintenance for signalling systems at select stations to gauge its effectiveness. The trials aim to develop reliable failure-prediction logic and automated alert mechanisms to bolster operational safety.

In a broader push toward tech-enabled inspection and monitoring, Indian Railways signed an MoU with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) in July 2025 for introducing a Machine Vision-based Inspection System. This AI/ML-powered tool will detect hanging parts and missing components in moving trains.

Another MoU with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will bring in an Automatic Wheel Profile Measurement System, enabling real-time, non-contact monitoring of wheel geometry and wear.

Together, these advancements mark a significant shift toward smarter, safer, and more wildlife-conscious rail operations across the country.