In March 2019, Hungama partnered with AI startup, CoRover to offer a new video and audio streaming service to IRCTC users. Hungama will offer its services through AI-enabled chatbot named Ask Disha which is available on the IRCTC website and mobile app. Users will be able to listen to songs and watch videos on Hungama Music by accessing it from the chatbot.

In December 2018, IRCTC introduced an AI-enabled robot called USTAAD. This robot has been developed at the mechanical branch of Central Railway in Nagpur. The robot, Under-gear Surveillance Through Artificial Intelligence Assisted Droid (USTAAD), can detect faults in trains and provide 360-degree views by capturing photographs and videos. The robot can transfer real-time information to the railway authorities over Wi-fi network to increase the safety in trains.

In September 2018, machine learning powered RailMitra application was launched. The App offers a fleet of services such as train live running status updates, check PNR status, finding trains between stations, ordering food online in the train, train seat availability, chances of confirmation, and Indian railway timetable.

In August 2018, Indian Railways introduced its first SMART coach. The SMART coach offers Indian Railways a single-window platform to monitor several key indicators of the train’s health – from coach diagnosis to security and surveillance system. The SMART coach aims to provide world-class facilities to passengers with the help of an intelligent sensor-based system. With the use of SMART coach, Indian Railways aims to move to predictive maintenance instead of preventive maintenance.

This coach has been manufactured by the Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli as part of the Make in India initiative. It has been built on the LHB-platform and comes equipped with sensors and a centralized computer that in turn monitors all the sensors. The SMART coach boasts of a Wi-fi hot spot information system and has a “vibration-based self-power harvesting sensor” on the axle box which helps predict wheel defects, defects on the bearings, and hard spots (defects) on the track. It carries a CCTV system with AI capability that will improve the security standards of the train and help in keeping a check on the behavior of the railway staff. The footage would help track any untoward incidents.

In July 2018, IRCTC introduced the use of AI to diagnose the condition of rail tracks. The AI technology prepares a repair and replacement calendar and improves the punctuality of trains. This ensures that at least 90% of trains run on time as routine maintenance work would be planned based on the AI-aided calendar.

In May 2018, Indian railways initiated the process of adopting AI systems to serve hygienic food for passengers. The AI system, known as Wobot, will be used to improve upon catering units. The system can track any anomaly in the entire operation of catering such as if a chef or any kitchen supervisor not wearing uniform, including the mandatory cap. The AI system will track such irregulaties and automatically report to a server that will send a report to the mobile of the concerned contractor immediately. If the matter is not addressed within 15 minutes, it will further be reported to IRCTC authorities in charge. If no action is taken at this level too, then it be will be escalated to IRCTC MD.

In November 2017, Indian Railways commenced the remote condition monitoring of the signal system to predict failures using AI. The system will enable prediction of signalling asset failures by data transfer through a wireless medium (3G, 4G, and high-speed mobile) and data based on these inputs will be utilized, with help of AI for predictive and prescriptive Big Data analytics.

1.0 Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) is a Navaratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways and a market leader in container logistics in the country having more than 2/3^rd market share in this field. CONCOR has a pan India footprint with 63 terminals and is present at all major ports in the country.

Recognizing AI’s potential to transform terminals and ports, CONCOR has decided to implement AI/ML based Container Terminal Management System (CTMS) at Inland Container Deport - Tughlakabad. This will also lay the groundwork for transforming all the CONCOR managed terminal operations using Artificial Intelligence across the Country. 

Following technological implementations are planned at ICD-TKD: a) Internet of Things (IOT) based Sensors b) AI-ML based Automation, and c) Digital Twin. All the activities at each of the major operational areas, namely, Gate, Rake Yard, Cargo handling area, Warehouse and customs examination block are planned to be digitalized using a combination of various automation technologies and digital applications. Additionally, each of the functional areas shall provide real time dashboards and reports to the specific location while, rolling the information into the centralized systems for organization wide dashboards, reports and business perspective views and decisions. 

 AI/ML solution shall involve complete automation of ICD/TKD covering the following:

•  Automatic Container Entry/ Exit
• Automatic guidance to yard/ warehouse
• Automatic documentation and validation

2.0    As per above, CONCOR has floated a 2 packet e-Tender for implementation of AI based Container Terminal Management System at its Inland Container Depot Tughlakabad with a broad scope of work as indicated in para 1.0. To qualify in the first packet (technical bid), bidder has to successfully demonstrate a POC, details of which have been given in the Tender. This is a first of its kind project in India and shall be executed as a pilot project in OPEX mode for a period of three (3) years, where infrastructure cost shall be borne by the vendor who shall be paid by CONCOR on a monthly basis depending upon the number of containers handled. Indicative quantities of containers to be handled have been provided in the tender along with details of procedure, Scope of Work and terms of payment.  

This model is based on recommendations of the consultant for the said pilot project, M/s. Ernst & Young who were selected through NICSI.  

IRCTC, an extended arm of the Indian Railways announces a new conversational and convenient feature to book your railway tickets using their chatbot AskDISHA 2.0. The feature enables customers to interact with the system via voice, chat and click based system. Additionally, the system requires no passwords but will work based on the One Time Password (OTP) sent to your mobile number.   

The portal has helped to improve passenger satisfaction and interaction by more than 70%. The latest version AskDISHA 2.0 now allows passengers to book tickets using voice commands. 

The Indian Railways has introduced the ‘Ideal Train Profile’ to maximize the capacity utilization and revenue generation in reserved mail express trains by regularly analyzing the demand pattern of every single train.  

The AI-driven program has, for the first time, allocated vacant berths in over 200 trains in such a way that fewer people need to turn away without a confirmed ticket. 

Made by Railways’ in-house software arm Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), this AI module, called Ideal Train Profile, was fed with information like how millions of passengers booked tickets on these trains, which origin-destination pairs were a hit and which were flops at what time of the year, which seats remained vacant for what portion of a journey, etc.