Indian Railways is set to go high-tech with Drones, Wi-Fi and Data Analytics for deriving better efficiency.
Leveraging technology for project management, the Railways intends to use the latest drone and Geo Spatial-based satellite technology for remotely reviewing the physical progress across major projects. Monitoring will operationalised through this mode in 2016-17.
It is also deploying system-wide Information Technology akin to an ERP through innovative partnership models.
While online recruitment was started in 2015-16, the process is now being replicated for all positions. Social media is being used as a tool to bring in transparency with interaction and feedback through social media & dedicated IVRS system.
All procurement, including procurement of works, have been moved to the e-platform and the railways has completed trial of process leading to award of tender electronically. The project will be rolled out on a pan-India basis in 2016-17.
Railways has introduced 1,780 automatic ticket vending machines, mobile apps & GoIndia smartcard for cashless purchase of UTS and PRS tickets. It has enhanced the capacity of e-ticketing system from 2,000 tickets per minute to 7,200 tickets per minute and to support 1,20,000 concurrent users as against only 40,000 earlier.
Railways has partnered with Google for providing Wi-Fi in 500 stations.
To push Digital India inititiave, it has launched an application of Track Management System (TMS). Inventory management module of TMS has resulted in inventory reduction by 27,000 MT resulting in a saving of Rs.64 crore and scrap identification of 22,000 MT equivalent to Rs.53 crore
Sale of tickets through hand held terminals, e-ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards; bar coded tickets, scanners and access control are being introduced on a pilot basis. .
In order to make coached more consumer friendly, railways is launching SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) coaches.
Design and layout of coaches to ensure higher carrying capacity and provision of new amenities, including automatic doors, bar-code readers, bio-vacuum toilets, water-level indicators, accessible dustbins, ergonomic seating, improved aesthetics, vending machines, entertainment screens, LED lit boards for advertising, PA system are some of the new proposals.
With users adopting smartphones, railways is integrating all facilities into two mobile apps dealing with ticketing issues and for receipt and redressal of complaints and suggestions.
Also in the works is GPS-based digital displays inside coaches to provide real time information regarding upcoming halts. Work is underway on installation of a high-tech centralised network of 20,000 screens across 2,000 stations for enabling real time flow of information to passengers and also to unlock the huge advertising potential.
A dedicated, cross functional team called Special Unit for Transportation Research and Analytics (SUTRA) would be set up for carrying out detailed analytics leading to optimised investment decisions and operations.