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AI-Driven Early Warning System Logs Zero Elephant Collisions on Madukkarai Rail Line

Viral World Elephant Day footage has prompted calls to replicate the 12-tower early-warning network despite differing tallies of successful crossings.

It further noted that the system also consists of 12 towers, 24 cameras, and 25 forest staff to keep watch.
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Overview

  • Deployed since November 2023, the AI-powered network of 12 towers and 24 thermal cameras feeds real-time alerts to station masters, loco pilots and a 25-strong patrol unit to pause trains for approaching elephants.
  • Officials report the system has issued over 6,000 alerts for elephant movements and more than 10,000 total wildlife warnings, credited with zero train–elephant collisions on the Madukkarai stretch to date.
  • State posts conflict on safe-crossing totals, with Chief Minister M. K. Stalin citing about 2,800 passages since February 2024 and the Forest Department citing 6,592 crossings overall.
  • The Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s viral World Elephant Day video showing a herd’s calm track crossing was reshared by senior officials to highlight the system’s impact.
  • Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav is scheduled to visit the installation this week and authorities are urging its wider adoption even as conservationists warn that broader corridor integrity remains at risk.