Lok Sabha Question No. 3113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: Deployment of Technology in South Central Railway Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri B K Parthasarathi

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3113 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026

## DEPLOYMENT OF TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY DIVISION

3113. SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Machine Vision-based  systems  such  as  the  Machine  Vision  Inspection  System (MVIS),  Online  Monitoring  of  Rolling  Stock  System  (OMRS)  or  Wheel Impact  Load  Detector  (WILD)  are  being  deployed/piloted  in  the  South Central Railway (SCR) Division;
- (b) if so, the details of such technologies, their objectives and the locations identified for pilot or installation;
- (c)  whether  any  collaborations  have  been  undertaken  with  research institutions  or  private  entities  for  these  pilots  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  outcomes  observed  so  far  in  improving  safety, predictive maintenance and operational efficiency?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d) Technological improvement in Indian Railways (IR) is a continuous process. Some major technologies deployed/piloted over IR are as follows:
1. Machine  Vision Inspection System  (MVIS): MVIS  is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) based system which generates alert on detecting any hanging, loose or missing components of moving trains.

Three (03) MVIS have been installed in Northeast Frontier Railway, two (02) in Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) and one (01) in South East Central Railway on pilot basis for freight stock. Further, a MoU has been signed between IR and DFCCIL to induct four (04) MVIS over IR network for freight stock.

Also, Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has taken up development of MVIS for rolling stock in collaboration with industry through an Expression of Interest (EoI).

2. Wheel  Impact  Load  Detector  (WILD):  WILD  is  a  way-side  inspection system  that  measures  the  impact  of  wheel  on  track  to  identify  the defective wheel in Rolling Stock. 24 such systems are installed over IR.
3. Online  Monitoring  of  Rolling  Stock  (OMRS):  OMRS  is  a  way-side inspection  system  which  monitors  the  health  of  bearing  &  wheel  of Rolling Stock. 25 such systems are installed over IR out of which one (01) OMRS is installed at Sirpur Kaghaz nagar /Secunderabad Division in South Central Railway.
4. Integrated  Track  Monitoring  Systems  (ITMS):  ITMS  are  deployed  for comprehensive inspection and monitoring of Railway tracks. The ITMS utilizes machine learning and image processing to monitor and detect defects  in  railway  track  components  such  as  rails,  sleepers,  and fastenings.  The  data  from  ITMS  is  analysed  for  urgent  and  planned maintenance of track. Presently three (03) ITMS are deployed for track recording and monitoring of IR track. It helps in better track maintenance  planning,  enhanced  safety,  improved  reliability  of  track assets and operational efficiency.
5. Drone based monitoring of Overhead Equipment: Drone based monitoring  with  thermal  imaging  of  Overhead  Equipment  (OHE)  has been  taken  up  in Raipur  division on  pilot basis. Further, IR in association  with  IIT  Madras,  has  taken  up  development  of  a  Drone based aerial inspection of Overhead Equipment (OHE) which will also analyse the captured data using AI/ML.
6. TRI-Netra:  RDSO  has  taken  up  development  of  TRI-Netra  (Terrain Imaging  for  Locomotive  Drivers -  Infra-Red,  Enhanced  Optical  &

Ranging  Device  Assisted)  for  assisting  the  Loco  pilots  during  foggy, rainy and inclement weather. This system  comprises  of optical camera, infra-red camera and ranging devices (e.g. Radar/Lidar) & Al to create a real-time, enhanced vision system for assisting Loco pilots.

## 7. Kavach:

- i) Kavach  is  an  indigenously  developed  Automatic  Train  Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology intensive system, which requires safety certification of highest order (SIL-4).
2. ii) Kavach  aids  the  Loco  Pilot  in  running  of  trains  within  specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in  case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather.
3. iii) Based on deployment of Kavach version 3.2 on 1465 Route Km on South Central Railway and experience gained, further improvements were made. Finally, Kavach specification version 4.0 was approved by RDSO on 16.07.2024.
4. iv) Major improvement  in Version 4.0 includes increased location accuracy,  improved  information  of  signal  aspects  in  bigger  yards, Station to Station Kavach interface on OFC and Direct Interface to existing Electronic Interlocking System.
- v) After  extensive  and  elaborate  trials,  Kavach  Version  4.0  has  been successfully commissioned on 1452 Route Kilometres, covering the high density Delhi- Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes as below:
6. vi) Further, track side Kavach implementation work has been taken up on 24,427 Route Kilometres covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. Progress of key items of Kavach as on 28.02.26 is as under:
7. vii) In addition, work for installation of Kavach in 8979 Locomotives and 1200 EMU/MEMU has been taken up.

| SN   | Section                                           | Progress (Route Km)   |
|------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| (1)  | Delhi-Mumbai route:                               | Delhi-Mumbai route:   |
| i    | Junction cabin - Palwal - Mathura - Nagda section | 667                   |
| ii   | Vadodara - Ahmedabad section                      | 96                    |
| ii   | Vadodara - Virar section                          | 336                   |
| (2)  | Delhi - Howrah route:                             | Delhi - Howrah route: |
| i    | Gaya Sarmatanr section                            | 93                    |
| ii   | Chota Ambana - Bardhaman - Howrah section         | 260                   |

| SN   | Item                                 | Progress     |
|------|--------------------------------------|--------------|
| i    | Laying of Optical Fibre Cable        | 8570 Km      |
| ii   | Installation of Telecom Towers       | 1100 nos.    |
| iii  | Station Data Centre                  | 767 stations |
| iv   | Installation of Track side equipment | 6776 RKm     |
| v    | Provision of Kavach in Loco          | 4154 nos.    |

Rail  Tech  Policy:  Further,  to  support  the  development  of  cost-effective, implementable  and  scalable  solutions,  including  those  based  on  AI  and data-driven technologies, a new policy called the Rail Tech Policy has been adopted on 26.02.2026 by IR and a portal (https://railtech.indianrailways.gov.in) has been launched to facilitate participation of innovators and startups.

The proposed Rail Tech Policy incorporates the following key features:

- Single-stage detailed submission of proposals by the Innovator.
- Provision for submission of proposals for self-initiated challenges by the Innovator on the Rail Tech Portal.
- Provision  for  funding  on  50:50  cost-sharing  basis  between  Indian Railways and the Innovator, with the maximum grant up to ₹ 3 Cr for prototype development and trials.
- Grant offered for extended trials or scale-up shall be upto five times the initial grant subject to a maximum of ₹ 10 crore.

The above proposed Policy will facilitate early adoption of new technologies in Indian Railways.

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