In Kerala, AI-based Gajraj System Installed To Curb Elephant Deaths At Railway Crossings

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posted on 6 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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According to the railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Gajraj System was introduced on a 150-km stretch in Assam and turned out to be quite useful.

A wild female elephant died after being hit by an express train while she was crossing the railway track at Kottekad in Palakkad District, Kerala along with her herd. The incident took place on May 7. This is the second such incident which took place at the same crossing within a month in the district.

To curb such accidents, an existing AI-based surveillance is named the Gajraj System. It is based on the existing AI surveillance project implemented by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department in the Madhukara Division. Gajraj will extend the monitoring range up to a distance of 32 km and enable continuous elephant monitoring till the Palakkad Kottekkad crossing section.

The system uses laser sensors to detect the presence of elephants within 40 meters of B and A tracks in the forest. After sensing the presence of elephants on the railway track, an immediate impulse will be sent to loco pilots so that they can take timely action and prevent accidents. The Gajraj project is jointly implemented by the Forest Department and the Railways. It will be implemented at a cost of around Rs 15.42 crore.

The forest department initially considered installing the AI camera with the help of BSNL, but financial problems rose as obstacles. However, the General Manager of Southern Railway intervened directly and permitted to take action. Palakkad Division also agreed with the importance of this system on the railway tracks of the Kottekad crossing section.

A digital acoustic sensing technique will implemented using a camera and underground cables. Officials are optimistic about Gajaraja’s success, citing the success of similar systems implemented in other eastern states, including Andhra Pradesh’s Alipurdwar division. Gajaraja’s main goal is to drastically reduce the number of elephants that die in train accidents.

According to the railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Gajraj System was introduced on a 150-km stretch in Assam and turned out to be quite useful. This system was planned to be installed on 700 kilometres of route passing through forest areas in India.

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