In News:

The DRISHTI System is a new AI-enabled safety and security initiative of Indian Railways, aimed at strengthening freight train operations by addressing a long-standing challenge-detecting unlocked or tampered wagon doors during transit. The system represents a significant step towardstechnology-driven rail logistics and asset security.

What is the DRISHTI System?

• DRISHTI is an AI-based Freight Wagon Locking Monitoring System.
• It has been developed through a collaboration between Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and the IIT Guwahati Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (IITG TIDF).
• The system focuses on real-time monitoring of door locking mechanisms on moving freight wagons.

Why was DRISHTI Needed?

• Freight wagons often face security risks due to unlocked or tampered doors, leading to:
  • Theft and pilferage
  • Safety hazards during train movement
• Traditional manual inspection methods are:
  • Time-consuming
  • Impractical for long-haul trains
  • Ineffective under dynamic, high-speed conditions

DRISHTI provides an automated, continuous, and non-intrusive solution to this problem.

Key Features

• AI-powered cameras and sensors mounted at strategic locations to capture door positions.
• Use of computer vision and machine learning algorithms to:
  • Analyse locking conditions
  • Detect anomalies or tampering in real time
• Automated alerts generated instantly without disrupting train operations.
• Continuous surveillance during transit, unlike point-based manual checks.

How the System Works

• Cameras capture live visual data of wagon doors.
• AI algorithms process images to determine whether doors are:
  • Properly locked
  • Unlocked
  • Tampered with
• Any abnormality triggers a data-driven alert, enabling swift corrective action.

Benefits and Significance

• Enhances freight security and reduces pilferage.
• Improves wagon sealing integrity and overall rolling stock reliability.
• Minimises human intervention, lowering operational risks and costs.
• Brings greater transparency and technological assurance to freight operations.
• Supports India’s broader push towards digitalisation and indigenous innovation in transport infrastructure.