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In a significant move towards ensuring the safety of India's wildlife, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Railway Minister, announced the development of 'Gajraj'. This indigenous software, created using artificial intelligence (AI) and optical fibre cable (OFC), is a cutting-edge initiative to prevent train-elephant collisions. Gajraj has been designed to alert the locomotive pilot of any suspicious activity on or near rail tracks.
Gajraj's Functionality and Upcoming Deployment
The AI-based 'Gajraj' software has already shown positive results in Assam. It is now set to be deployed across 700 km of elephant corridors in multiple states over the next eight months. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 181 crore. The software uses AI and OFC to detect any questionable movement within 200 meters of the tracks. When an elephant's movement near the rails causes vibrations, it creates variations in the optical signals carried by the OFC. These disruptions signal a potential threat, alerting the locomotive pilot, control room personnel, and the section station master.
Highly Anticipated Deployment in Various States
This initiative has gained urgency due to the alarming number of elephant fatalities caused by train accidents. Railway Ministry data reveals that 45 elephants have been killed in such incidents within the past three years. Recent tragic incidents, including one in West Bengal's Alipurduar district that claimed the lives of three elephants, highlight the pressing need for this software. The Minister has announced plans to install these AI-powered systems in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, Kerala, parts of Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu.
Post-Covid Operations and Expansion
Minister Vaishnaw also shed light on the state of railway operations post-Covid. Contrary to some claims, railway services have not reduced but rather increased since the pandemic. The railways were operating 10,186 trains daily for passenger transportation pre-Covid, and now they are running 10,754 train services. This is an increase of 568 train services. Last year, the railway network expanded by 5,243 km with new tracks, and this year the target is to surpass this mark with an addition of about 5,500 to 6,000 km of new railway track.
The 'Gajraj' software is an innovative and promising solution to the issue of train-elephant collisions. It is a clear example of how technology can be harnessed to mitigate environmental challenges and safeguard our wildlife. As the railway network continues to expand, the deployment of 'Gajraj' will play an instrumental role in ensuring the safety of elephants across the country.
