Indian Railways has introduced a cutting-edge artificial intelligence solution named ‘Gajraj Suraksha’ to safeguard elephants and other wildlife from train collisions. This technology has already proven its effectiveness by recording zero elephant fatalities in the sensitive Madukkarai forest zone near Coimbatore over the last two-and-a-half years. Through a network of smart sensors and real-time monitoring, the system acts as a digital shield for wildlife wandering near tracks.
Key highlights of the Gajraj Suraksha initiative include:
• **Zero elephant deaths** reported in the Madukkarai forest area since the system’s installation.
• The system has generated over **7,100 real-time alerts** for elephant presence.
• Loco pilots have successfully slowed or halted trains **more than 3,280 times** to avoid collisions.
• The technology boasts a **99.5% accuracy rate** in detecting wildlife movement.
How the Gajraj Suraksha Technology Works
The system functions by utilizing optical fiber cables buried along railway tracks. These cables are sensitive enough to detect vibrations and pressure waves caused by animals from up to **200 meters away**. To ensure comprehensive coverage, the setup integrates thermal imaging cameras and AI-equipped drones. When an animal is detected, the system transmits an immediate alert to the local station master, who then informs the loco pilot to initiate braking procedures. A dedicated **24-hour Control and Command Center** oversees these operations, ensuring that the system also tracks other wildlife, such as leopards, deer, and gaurs.
Expansion Plans Across India
Following a difficult decade where approximately **200 elephants lost their lives** on railway tracks, the Ministry of Railways is scaling up this technology significantly. Currently operational across a **70-kilometer stretch** in the Northeast Frontier Railway zone, the project is slated for a massive expansion covering **700 kilometers** of track.
The Ministry has approved the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for several critical regions, including **403.42 km in the Northeast Frontier Railway**, **368.70 km in the East Coast Railway**, and **55.85 km in the Southern Railway**. Additionally, the Izzatnagar Rail Division has begun work on a **99.18-kilometer section**, with 24 kilometers already in progress. This collaborative effort between Indian Railways and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change marks a major milestone in wildlife conservation, with leaders like Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasizing its success in protecting India’s natural heritage.