New Delhi: In a significant move towards modernising safety infrastructure, Indian Railways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) to implement AI-enabled Machine Vision-Based Inspection Systems (MVIS). This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionise how rolling stock health is monitored and maintained in India’s vast railway network.
The MoU was formally signed by Mr Sumit Kumar, Director (Project & Development), Railway Board, and Mr Jawahar Lal, GGM (Mechanical), DFCCIL at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Mr B. M. Agrawal, Member (Traction & Rolling Stock), Mr Praveen Kumar, Managing Director, DFCCIL, and senior officials from the Railway Board and DFCCIL.
AI-Powered Safety System to Detect Real-Time Anomalies
The MVIS technology, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), will be deployed wayside along rail tracks. The system will capture high-resolution images of the undergear of moving trains and automatically detect hanging, loose, or missing components.
Upon detecting any anomaly, the MVIS unit will generate real-time alerts, enabling instant preventive action and mitigating potential risks before they impact train operations.
DFCCIL to Procure and Commission MVIS Units
As per the MoU, DFCCIL will handle the procurement, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of four MVIS units. This makes the initiative a first-of-its-kind for Indian Railways, signalling a major leap toward predictive and automated maintenance.
Reducing Manual Effort, Enhancing Efficiency
The AI-based MVIS solution is expected to–
- Drastically reduce manual inspections
- Enhance safety protocols
- Prevent service disruptions
- Improve response time in maintenance activities
By leveraging intelligent systems, Indian Railways is aligning with global trends in digitised and data-driven transportation safety.
Laying the Foundation for Future-Ready Railways
Officials noted that the initiative reflects the Indian Railways’ commitment to digital transformation and smart infrastructure. The adoption of MVIS is not just a technological upgrade – it is a step toward building a future-ready railway ecosystem that is efficient, intelligent, and safe.
This MoU also complements ongoing efforts under the ‘Digital India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions, aimed at integrating advanced technologies across public service infrastructure.
About DFCCIL
The dedicated freight corridors in India are a network of electric broad gauge freight railway lines that solely serve freight trains, thus making the freight service in India faster and efficient. DFCCIL a public sector company is responsible for undertaking planning, development, mobilisation of financial resources and construction, maintenance and operation of these corridors. In fiscal year 2024, an average of 241 trains used the dedicated freight corridors daily.
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