New Delhi: In a major stride towards enhancing safety and operational efficiency, Indian Railways has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) to deploy a state-of-the-art Machine Vision Based Inspection System (MVIS). This cutting-edge AI and machine learning-driven technology is set to revolutionise the way train maintenance and safety checks are conducted.

MVIS, installed alongside railway tracks, uses high-resolution imaging to scan the undercarriage of moving trains. It automatically identifies any loose, hanging, or missing parts in real-time. Upon detecting any abnormalities, the system instantly generates alerts, enabling rapid intervention and preventive measures to avoid accidents and service disruptions, according to an official statement.

The MoU was signed at Rail Bhawan by Sumit Kumar, Director (Project and Development) of the Railway Board, and Jawahar Lal, General Manager (Mechanical) of DFCCIL. Under this agreement, DFCCIL will oversee the procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning of four MVIS units, marking a pioneering adoption of this technology within Indian Railways.

The implementation of MVIS is expected to drastically reduce the reliance on manual inspections, enhancing safety protocols while minimising operational delays. This breakthrough is the first of its kind for the national railway system and reflects a commitment to integrating intelligent technologies into the railway infrastructure.

“This initiative also aligns with IR’s broader objective of introducing modern, intelligent systems to the railway ecosystem. The signing of this MoU is poised to open new avenues for digital transformation in rail safety in building a future-ready rail infrastructure,” the ministry stated.

In parallel with this technological advancement, Indian Railways is aggressively expanding its workforce. Over 9,000 appointment letters have been issued in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26, with plans to recruit more than 50,000 employees by the year’s end. The Railway Recruitment Boards have conducted Computer-Based Tests (CBTs) since November 2024, with more than 1.86 crore candidates participating across the country for seven different recruitment drives. IANS