Breaking new ground, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw declared the Rail Tech Policy and AI-driven digitization of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) as key reforms in Indian Railways’ transformative ’52 Weeks, 52 Reforms’ drive. Unveiled on Thursday, these initiatives promise to supercharge innovation and streamline justice delivery.
The Rail Tech Policy breaks down silos, empowering startups, innovators, and institutions through a dedicated online portal with seamless interfaces. Incentives are ramped up significantly: grants for scaling innovations tripled, prototype and testing funds doubled, making high-impact ideas viable.
Targeted innovations span AI safeguards against elephant incursions, real-time fire alerts in coaches, drone-enabled rail break detection, track stress analytics, sensor-driven parcel weighing, solar integrations for coaches, AI-monitored hygiene, fog obstacle identification, and automated pension resolutions.
‘This is about structured tech infusion – simple, meaningful engagement for all idea-holders via digital means,’ Vaishnaw explained. Ditching complex vendor protocols, it embraces experimentation to fast-track adoption.
Simultaneously, e-RCT heralds a digital dawn for claims, processing them with unprecedented speed, clarity, and nationwide reach through AI capabilities. This comprehensive push positions Indian Railways as a global innovation leader, ready for tomorrow’s challenges.