Recently, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has successfully completed trial works of the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) in four key sections.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has implemented an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) designed to protect elephants and other wildlife near railway tracks and ensure safe train operations. This advanced system uses optical fibre sensing technology to detect elephant movements near the tracks and generates real-time alerts for train drivers and control rooms, allowing them to take timely preventive measures.
The IDS has been trialed and commissioned successfully in four key sections within the NFR jurisdiction:
Madarihat–Nagrakata section (Alipurduar Division, West Bengal)
Habaipur–Lamsakhang–Patharkhola–Lumding section (Lumding Division, Assam)
Kamakhya–Azara–Mirza section (Rangiya Division, Assam)
Titabar–Mariani–Nakachari section (Tinsukia Division, Assam)

• These pilot sections collectively cover about 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of railway block sections.
• The system operates by detecting vibrations caused by elephant movement through sensor cables placed roughly 10 meters parallel to the tracks. Signals are transmitted instantly to train operators and relevant station officials.
• NFR plans to expand the IDS coverage to an additional 146.4 km of elephant corridor sections with a target completion date by April 2026.
• This initiative reflects NFR's commitment to wildlife conservation, sustainable development, and passenger safety, setting a national benchmark for responsible railway operations in biodiversity-rich regions such as the northeastern states of India.

In summary, the IDS by NFR is a high-tech railway initiative utilizing optical fibre sensors to detect wildlife, especially elephants, near tracks and provide live alerts to prevent accidents, thereby supporting both operational efficiency and environmental protection.

Download Pdf