Indian railways earned the stature of the “Country’s Lifeline” & rightly so. Even though India has the 4th largest railway system in the world, after the US, Russia & China, many people started considering train travel as a thing of the past. The reason is the introduction to optimized & time-saving conveyance.
Other transportation methods cannot match the efficiency, reliability & cost-effectiveness of railways & it would be accurate to say that trains are experiencing a renaissance. Herein, we will be discussing the technology is playing a crucial role in the modernization of Indian railways accompanied by the latest developments in Indian Railways.
Latest Developments: Indian Railways
Various current events illustrate the resurgence of Indian Railways directed towards its modernization & revitalisation.
First & foremost, in conformity with the Budget 2024, the Indian Railway will invest at least ₹7 trillion in the coming decade to modernize its network & boost the train speed. Next year’s budget is expected to be more in comparison to the current year.
Indian Railways have put together a National Rail Plan for India 2030. The main motive behind this plan is to create a Railway system by 2030 that is forward & perennial.
Technological advancements are building blocks in any field of action and Indian Railways is no different from the rest. The current developments encompass complete electrification, construction of dedicated freight corridors along with a makeover of hundreds of railway stations & installation of bio-toilets.
All the abovementioned developments are out of the question without contemporary apparatus & innovations. Moreover, both the implemented and upcoming changes owe their feasibility to modern technology.
Transformation of Indian Railways: Impact of Technology
Let’s look at some of the technological advancements that have transformed Indian Railways resulting in better travel experiences.
- Prioritized safety & comfort
3D technology was used while designing the train and resulted in altered dramatically the passenger experience. Capitalizing on 3D technology helped manufacturers create virtual models of train components as well as interiors, enabling them to take into consideration any concerns & build coaches that rank safety, comfort & modern aesthetics on top. This line of action makes sure that trains meet international standards while also dispensing passengers with sizeable standing areas, comfortable seating & fascinating cabin layouts.
- Availability of QR codes
Indian Railways have been successful in introducing QR codes for station entry. This was introduced in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic but also proved to be quite structured & logical for the long run.
- Introduction to Passenger Services
Owing to the digital revolution, Indian railways started integrating passenger services like checking train PNR status & ordering food online into the biosphere. Passengers now have the option to track their PNR status in real-time using websites as well as mobile applications helping them plan their journey accordingly.
The introduction of online food order in train has proven to be revolutionary by enhancing the dining experience onboard trains. This enables the passengers to choose from a multitude of cuisines & menu options. Not only that, passengers can have their meals delivered directly to their seats resulting in comfort & satisfaction while traveling.
- Licensed Infrastructure Development & Renewal
Geographic Information System(GIS) & LiDAR, which are advanced surveying & mapping technologies, have led to precise analysis of terrain & land investment for new railway projects. Over & above that, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has resulted in improved design & construction processes contributing to the creation of a strong & sustainable infrastructure. The incorporation of renewable energy solutions, like solar power & energy -efficient lightning cannot be disregarded. It has contributed to the reduction of the carbon footprint leading to better sustainability.
- Opening the door for Freight Operations with inventive solutions
Along with the provision of passenger services, technology has also contributed to the modification of freight operations within the Indian Railways ecosystem. The acquisition of staunch freight corridors rigged out with quality signalling & communication systems has led to the immaculate movement of goods across the country. Additionally, the application of freight tracking & analysis of solutions has amplified visibility & transparency in freight operations. This leads to better logistic management & boost in the delivery timelines for businesses.
- Remote Monitoring & Management of the Locomotive System (REMMLOT)
REMMLOT is used by Indian Railways to analyse the health & performance of diesel locomotives distantly. The technology possesses GPS devices, and the system has the ability to collect real-time data on engine status, fuel consumption, & speed, passing on it through GPRS to a central server. The error-free tracking of train arrival & departure helps in proper scheduling & operations. REMMLOT makes the maintenance planning, optimization of fuel usage, & operational efficiency easier highlighting Indian Railway’s inclination & commitment towards modern technology owing to a trustworthy & sustainable network.
The contribution of technology towards the upgradation of Indian Railways is prominent & cannot be disregarded. The use of modern technology in the Indian Railways ecosystem has paved the way for safety, efficiency & enhanced passenger experience. Ranging from state-of-the-art signalling systems & digital ticketing platforms to inventive freight operations accompanied by infrastructure development, technology has been the prime mover when it comes to the transformation of one of the oldest & largest railway networks in the world.
As Indian Railways moves forward on the path of modernization, holding the rising technologies like AI, blockchain, etc, it can get difficult to maintain the relevance. Approaching strategically & adopting technology & innovation can help Indian Railways in continuous evolution acting as a symbol of advancement & connectivity keeping in mind the varied needs of the passengers as well as stakeholders while augmenting the socio-economic development of the nation.
