Lok Sabha Question No. 4534 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Use of AI/ML-based Technologies in Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri G M Harish Balayogi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4534 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025

## USE OF AI/ML-BASED TECHNOLOGIES IN RAILWAYS

## 4534.  SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and  Machine  Learning  (ML)  technologies  to  enhance  railway safety and operational efficiency;
- (b) if  so,  the  key  applications/systems  where such technologies are being deployed/piloted including their objectives and scope;
- (c) whether  Machine  Vision  based  Inspection  System  (MVIS)  is among  the  AI/ML-based  initiatives  being  implemented  to  detect faults/defects in rolling stock and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of MVIS units/similar systems proposed to be installed and the zones /corridors identified for their deployment;
- (e) whether  the  said  systems  have  been  tested  for  reliability  and accuracy and the outcomes observed so far in terms of accident prevention, inspection efficiency/reduction in service disruptions and if so, the details thereof; and

- (f) whether the Government has a roadmap for the phased expansion of AI/ML-enabled safety technologies across all railway zones and divisions and if so, details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (f):  Technological  improvements  in  Indian  Railways  (IR)  are  a continuous  process.  Artificial  Intelligence/Machine  Learning  (AI/ML) based applications are a developing area. Some of the initiatives taken by IR in the area of AI/ML are as follows:
- i. IR  has  adopted  advanced/improved  technologies  like  Online Monitoring of Rolling Stock System (OMRS), Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) for predictive maintenance of rolling stock.
- ii. A  Memorandum of  Understanding  has  been  signed  between  IR and  Dedicated  Freight  Corridor  Corporation  of  India  Limited (DFCCIL)  in  July  2025  for  induction  of  4  numbers  of  wayside Machine  Vision  based  Inspection  System  (MVIS).  This  is  an AI/ML  driven  system  for  detecting  hanging  parts  or  missing components  in moving trains. The locations identified for installation of these 4 systems are as follows:
- a. Near Tughlakabad over Delhi Division of Northern Railway
- b. Near  Mauda  over  Nagpur  Division  of  South  East  Central Railway

- iv.
- c. In  Vishakhapatnam  -  Vizianagaram  section  over  Waltair Division of East Coast Railway
- d. Near  Toranagallu  over  Hubballi  Division  of  South  Western Railway

These  systems  are  being  provided  as  pilot  projects  and  will undergo  technical  proving  out  before  they  are  considered  for phased expansion over Indian Railways.

- iii. A  Memorandum of  Understanding  has  been  signed  between  IR and  Delhi Metro  Rail Corporation to induct 4  numbers  of Automatic  Wheel  Profile  Measurement  System  (AWPMS).  The AWPMS allows for automatic non-contact measurement of train wheel profile ensuring real-time measurement of wheel geometry  and  wear.  The  locations  identified  for  installation  of these 4 systems are as follows:
- a. Lokmanya  Tilak  Terminus  Coaching  Depot  over  Mumbai Division of Central Railway
- b. Anand Vihar Terminal Coaching Depot over Delhi Division of Northern Railway
- c. Near  Tughlakabad  Wagon  Depot  over  Delhi  Division  of Northern Railway
- d. Near Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Wagon Depot over Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Division of East Central Railway
6. For  improving  operational  efficiency,  AI/ML  models  have  been implemented in the areas of passenger services (Rail Madad and

Passenger Reservation System), freight operations (prediction of estimated  time  of  arrival  of  freight  trains),  and  prediction  of unloading/loading time.

- v. Centre for Railway Information Systems has signed a Memorandum  of Understanding with Digital India Bhashini Division  for  auto  language  translation  for handling  of  user complaints in any of the 13 scheduled languages.
- vi. Centre for Railway Information Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Institute of Technology Delhi for enhancing efficiencies in the area of train operations.
- vii. Centre for Railway Information Systems has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Institute Technology Mumbai for adoption of generative AI transportation and related sectors.
4. a of in
- viii. Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  enabled  Intrusion  Detection  System (IDS) using Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) is implemented in 141  RKms  section  of  Northeast  Frontier  Railway  for  detecting presence of elephants on Railway tracks. The system is designed to generate alerts for loco pilots, station masters and Control Room about the movement of elephants in proximity of railway tracks, for taking preventive action timely.
- ix. Pilot  initiatives  involving  Al-driven  predictive  maintenance  of signaling are being undertaken over the Indian Railways.

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