The Rail Tech Policy is the Reform Number Three and E-RCT: Reform in disposal of ‘Railway Claims Tribunal’ Cases is the Reform Number 4.
Photo: ANI
Under Indian Railways’ flagship “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” initiative, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced two more reforms — Rail Tech Policy aimed to engage innovators, startups, industry and institutions to promote innovation in Indian Railways, and the complete digitisation and AI-enabled transformation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT).
The Rail Tech Policy is the Reform Number Three and E-RCT: Reform in disposal of ‘Railway Claims Tribunal’ Cases is the Reform Number 4.
Advertisement
Vaishnaw also unveiled the new Rail Tech Portal to promote innovation and give impetus to startups, industries and institutions.
Advertisement
Addressing a press conference here on Reforms in Railways, the Railway Minister said Rail Tech Policy is basically about the massive use and integration of technology in Railways. “Especially our startups, researchers, and those who have technological ideas can connect with Railways,” he said.
The new Rail Tech Policy simplifies the selection of innovators and introduces a dedicated “Rail Tech Portal” for innovation. Innovation challenges can be initiated by any innovator or departmental user, with a single-stage detailed submission of proposals.
The policy provides a user-friendly interface, increases the scale-up grant more than three times and doubles the maximum grant for prototype development and trials.
Key innovation areas include AI-based Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS), AI-based fire detection system in coaches, drone-based broken rail detection system, rail stress monitoring system, sensor-based load calculation device on parcel vans (VPUs), solar panels on coaches, AI-based coach cleaning monitoring system, obstruction detection in foggy environments, and AI-based pension and dispute resolution systems.
Vaishnaw said the RailTech Policy is designed to enable massive and systematic induction of technology into the Railways.
He emphasised that startups, researchers and innovators must be able to connect with Indian Railways in a structured, meaningful and simplified manner.
The Railway Minister said anyone with a strong technological idea should be able to approach the Railways through a dedicated Rail Tech portal, which will function through a completely digital, end-to-end process.
The objective, Vaishnaw explained, is to shift away from the earlier complex system of vendor selection based strictly on rigid specifications and to instead create a simplified, innovation-driven framework focused on trial and adoption of new technologies.
Explaining about Reform Number Four, the Railway Minister said the E-RCT system will enable end-to-end computerisation and digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal. It will transform the filing, processing and adjudication of claims by making the process faster, more transparent and accessible from anywhere in the country.
Vaishnaw stated that there are 23 RCT benches across the country and that filing claims currently poses challenges, especially for passengers who may be travelling across states when an incident occurs. Determining the appropriate jurisdiction for filing a claim often becomes a significant issue.
He said the reform aims to make claim filing simple, digital and accessible from anywhere in the country. Under the new system, aggrieved passengers will be able to file claims electronically, irrespective of their location, even while travelling or upon reaching their destination. The entire process, from e-filing to case information systems will be digitised and AI-enabled.
The Railway Minister stated that within the next 12 months, all benches of the Railway Claims Tribunal will be fully digitised under this initiative.
Advertisement
