Indian Railways is taking a significant step toward wildlife conservation by introducing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. Following successful trials in the Motichur region, this technology is designed to prevent tragic accidents involving elephants and other wildlife by detecting their movement near tracks and alerting officials in real-time. The deployment currently awaits final approval from the State and National Wildlife Boards.
- The AI-powered IDS uses Optical Fiber Cables to monitor track activity with 100% detection accuracy.
- Between 2014 and 2024, approximately 20 elephants were killed in train collisions in Uttarakhand.
- The broader ‘Gajraj Suraksha’ initiative covers 700 kilometers of railway tracks across India.
- The project is backed by a 181 crore rupee investment to prevent wildlife fatalities.
How the AI Technology Works
The AI-powered IDS functions by utilizing existing Optical Fiber Cables (OFC) that run along the railway tracks. This system continuously monitors the area for any movement. During recent trials in the Motichur region, the technology proved its reliability by accurately identifying the presence of elephants and immediately transmitting alerts to both the forest department and railway officials. A similar system was also successfully deployed on the sensitive Lal Kuan railway section in Uttarakhand in April 2026.
Expanding the Gajraj Suraksha Initiative
Beyond Uttarakhand, Indian Railways is rolling out the **’Gajraj Suraksha’ initiative**, a national effort to safeguard elephants across critical corridors. This system, which boasts an impressive **99.5% accuracy rate**, is being extended to cover **700 kilometers of tracks** in states including West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Currently, **70 kilometers are already operational** within the Northeast Frontier Railway zone.
This massive undertaking, costing **181 crore rupees**, is a crucial intervention aimed at stopping the trend of wildlife casualties, with an estimated **200 elephant deaths recorded over the last decade**. Additionally, a specialized ‘Monitoring of Elephant Movement System’ is being installed along a 20-kilometer stretch between Chaube and Chichaki in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad division. By providing real-time alerts to control rooms, the system allows railway operators to adjust train speeds or stop operations entirely when elephant movement is detected, effectively balancing passenger safety with wildlife preservation.