Indian Railways' 'Gajraj System': AI Surveillance to Safeguard Elephants on Railway Tracks
Indian Railways embarks on deploying the 'Gajraj system,' an AI-driven surveillance solution covering 700 kilometers of forested railway tracks. The initiative, aimed at curbing elephant fatalities, utilizes advanced technology to alert loco pilots about the presence of elephants. Explore the project overview, cost, and functionality of the system, designed to ensure wildlife preservation and enhance railway safety.
The Indian Railways is set to implement the "Gajraj system," an Artificial Intelligence-driven surveillance solution, across a 700-kilometer expanse of railway tracks in forested regions. This initiative aims to mitigate elephant fatalities by alerting loco pilots about the presence of elephants on the tracks.
Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the identified forested regions in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu, stating, "The AI-driven surveillance system will effectively notify train drivers in advance about elephants on the tracks."
Government data reveals an annual average of 20 elephant deaths due to train collisions, with a significant number occurring in the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone. The "Gajraj system" concept was conceived by former NFR General Manager Anshul Gupta, inspired by technology he encountered in London 13 years ago.
Project Overview: The total implementation cost for the 700-kilometer tracks amounts to ₹181 crore. Vaishnaw emphasized that the technology, initially deployed in Assam last year, underwent enhancements, achieving a remarkable 99.5% accuracy in detecting elephant presence on tracks.
The technology, developed by the railways in collaboration with startups, operates by utilizing an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) with sensors. Launched in December 2022 across 11 elephant corridors, the system has proven highly effective, eradicating train-elephant collisions in these areas.
Functionality: The system issues real-time alerts to control offices, station masters, gatemen, and loco pilots whenever an elephant is detected on the tracks. Utilizing the optical fiber cable (OFC) deployed beneath the tracks, the IDS captures vibrations caused by elephants, ensuring precise detection within a 5-meter radius from the fiber optic cable.
Since its launch, the system has issued 9,768 alerts, averting potential dangers and demonstrating a significant reduction in elephant fatalities. The successful deployment in the Northeast has underscored the technology's role in preserving wildlife and enhancing railway safety.
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