RailTech Policy and e-RCT System launched to boost innovation and digitise claims

Key facts

• Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the RailTech Policy and complete digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) as Reform Number Three and Four under Indian Railways' '52 Reforms in 52 Weeks' initiative.
• The RailTech Policy introduces a dedicated 'Rail Tech Portal' for single-stage detailed submission of innovation proposals and increases the scale-up grant more than three times while doubling the maximum grant for prototype development and trials.
• Key innovation areas under the RailTech Policy include AI-based Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS), AI-based fire detection in coaches, drone-based broken rail detection, rail stress monitoring, sensor-based load calculation on parcel vans, solar panels on coaches, AI-based coach cleaning monitoring, obstruction detection in fog, and AI-based pension and dispute resolution systems.
• The policy funds up to 50 per cent of development costs for viable technological solutions and places substantial long-term orders upon successful trials.
• The e-RCT System will digitise all 23 RCT benches across 21 cities within 12 months, enabling e-filing, a centralised Case Information System (CIS), and a Document Management System (DMS) for paperless court functioning.