NFR & IIT Guwahati collaborate for AI-based monitoring system

Maligaon, November 6 (MExN): Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (IITG TIDF) on Thursday showcased an advanced AI-based surveillance system for monitoring wagon door locks at NFR headquarters, Maligaon.

The system, named DRISHTI, was presented by a team of experts from IIT Guwahati as part of a MoU signed on November 19, between NFR and IITG to develop intelligent monitoring solutions using high-speed imaging, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. 

The presentation was attended by the General Manager of NFR and several PHoDs of the zone. Discussions focused on integrating AI-based surveillance within NFR’s freight network.

The system aims to address operational challenges in detecting unlocked or tampered doors on moving freight wagons, which pose significant safety and security concerns. 

Traditional manual checks are time-consuming and often impractical for long-haul trains and DRISHTI is designed to provide real-time monitoring, detect anomalies in door locking mechanisms during transit, and issue automated alerts without affecting train operations, the NFR stated in a press release. 

The prototype, under trial for the past ten months on selected wagons, uses AI-powered cameras and sensors strategically mounted to capture and analyse door positions and locking conditions in real time. Preliminary results have shown encouraging accuracy, validating the system’s potential. Plans are underway to refine and scale the technology for wider deployment across the NFR network.

The initiative is expected to enhance freight security, strengthen wagon sealing integrity, and reduce human intervention, bringing greater transparency and reliability to railway operations, the release added.