Chennai, Aug 15: The forest department of Tamil Nadu is to set up an artificial intelligence system to prevent elephant deaths due to train-related accidents on the tracks between Madhukkarai and Walayar in the Coimbatore district. An amount of Rs 7 crore is sanctioned for the project. The forest department has already floated tenders from reputed agencies to install the artificial intelligence system in the sector. The last date for submitting bids is September 8.
Two railway lines pass through the Madukkarai forest range between Madhukkarai and Walayar. The distance of one stretch is l.8km and the other is 2.8km. Both the tracks have several hotspots for elephant crossing and it is to be noted that all wild elephants have died since 2008 due to collisions with speeding trains.
A detailed survey and study were carried out by the Tamil Nadu forest department along with Railways and have identified an l5 km area of forest land most vulnerable. This is based on the frequency of elephant crossing. The Tamil Nadu forest department and the Ministry of Railways have decided to install an Artificial intelligence system in the area to Yarn about elephant crossings. According to the department officials, the problem areas would be identified into three zones. The 50 m area from the center to the track will be the red zone the next 50 m will be the orange zone and further S0 m will be the yellow zone. An acoustic (hooter) alert and a luminous alert would be installed at all sensor toYers and in the console room.
