Tag: Indian Railway Innovation Projects

  • Railway Ministry Unveils RailOne App for Hassle-Free Ticket Booking

    On July 2, Indian Railways introduced RailOne, a special one-stop solution app for all passenger services, in an effort to make travel easier and more pleasant for passengers.

    On the occasion of the 40th Foundation Day of the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), which plans, develops, executes, and manages important information systems for Indian Railways, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled RailOne, the new software programme.

    The new app is intended to act as a one-stop shop for all passenger demands and questions pertaining to railroads.

     By combining several services into one interface, it also seeks to improve passenger convenience. Users using iPhones and Android devices can now download RailOne from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

    Vibrant Features of the RailOne

    The ministry claims that the RailOne app also has features for enquiring about goods train services. According to the government, the customer receives a comprehensive package of Indian Railways services since all the services are housed in one location and have integrated communication between them.

    Additionally, RailOne offers a single sign-on option that lessens the need for customers to memorise numerous passwords.

    The app enables users to continue using their login credentials if they are already using the RailConnect or UTSonMobile applications for booking. They can use their current account and password to access RailOne.

    Apart from that, app also features regular services such as booking train tickets, platform tickets, enquiry about train and its running status, checking PNR status, scheduling and planning journey, helpline services, ordering meal on the go etc.

    Recent Transformations in the Indian Railways

    The Ministry has required that Aadhaar-verified IRCTC IDs be used to book tatkal and emergency tickets from July 1. This action attempts to stop IRCTC partner agents from abusing the system by booking tickets in large quantities, which frequently prevents actual travellers from securing bookings.

    The first reservation chart timing revision is another important change to train services. The chart will no longer be prepared four hours before the train’s scheduled departure; instead, it will now be prepared eight hours beforehand.

    A minor change to Indian Railways’ existing train prices has also been announced. The new structure will result in a 0.01 per kilometre increase in rates for non-AC mail and express trains and a 0.02 per kilometre increase for AC class fares.

    Suburban rates, second-class tickets for trips under 500 km, and monthly season tickets will not be affected by this change, nevertheless. Vaishnaw praised the CRIS team’s efforts to upgrade the current Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and urged them to concentrate on further fortifying the digital core of the Indian Railways.

    According to a Railways spokesperson, the new PRS would be scalable, multilingual, and nimble enough to manage ten times the existing load. It would be able to process 40 lakh enquiries and 1.5 lakh ticket bookings every minute.

    He went on to say that the new PRS will be inclusive, feature sophisticated fare calendar and seat selection features, and incorporate alternatives for patients, students, and divyangjan (those with disabilities), among others.

  • Indian Railways Grants INR 43.87 Crore to Startups for 23 Innovation Projects

    A total of 23 innovation projects valued at INR 43.87 crore have been granted to startups by Indian Railways with the aim of improving services. Elastomeric pad design, lightweight wagons, track inspection technology, and rail stress monitoring are some of the issues that solutions aim to address.

    A news source reported that out of 28 problem statements put up on an innovation portal for gathering ideas from companies, the Railways received 423 submissions. To support qualifying firms working on ongoing innovation projects, the Indian Railways have distributed approximately INR 10.52 Cr in funding.

    In addition, it will simplify the design of OHE cantilevers, create rapid point locking clamps/systems, and install sensor-based fire/smoke detection systems with wireless networking for Indian Railways coaches. In power vehicles, these selected startups will be constructing load-counting devices with audio-visual alerts.

    Initiated on June 13, 2022, the ‘Startups for Railways’ programme sought to enhance operational efficiency and safety within the railway network by using the talents of Indian startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, R&D companies, NGOs, and entrepreneurs.

    The projects also centre on solar power generating systems that use flexible solar PV panels on the roofs of LHB coaches, warning systems for loco pilots, and guards for the initiative’s second phase.

    Preventing Human Incidents: Indian Railways Seeks Innovations to Enhance Safety

    Along with the existing collaborations, 59 innovators are being considered for potential solutions to six concerns. Some of these pressing problems include finding non-invasive technical ways to detect drugs and explosives in delivery vans and goods rakes and avoiding human runovers on trains.

    Preventing human accidents on rails is a major task for several reasons, such as trespassing, safety violations, and diversions. The rail company sent an invitation to tech companies to suggest solutions that may detect when people are nearby and react accordingly. The railways are now finalising their choices after eight businesses were shortlisted in the initial stage of screening.

    Startups for Railways

    A decentralised strategy, the “Startups for Railways” concept gives authority to divisional levels to speed up product development and reduce delays. The Ministry has established an open, unbiased, and user-friendly platform for promoting partnerships and pushing technological progress to transform the future of Indian Railways through the establishment of the Indian Railway Innovation Portal.

    With a network size of approximately 123,542 km of tracks and 7,300 stations, employing nearly 1.2 million people, the Indian Railways (IR) is on the verge of embracing cutting-edge technology, environmentally friendly practices, and vast operations. IR is also the largest railway network in Asia and the fourth largest in the world. Aiming to complete manufacturing of India’s debut hydrogen train, wholly built within the nation, and witnessing the introduction of the indigenous high-speed train, Vande Bharat Express, 2023 was a critical year for the Indian Railway.


    Top 10 Landowners in India
    Discover the top 10 landowners in India, including prominent individuals and influential entities that own vast tracts of land across the country.