Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has introduced an artificial intelligence-based system to improve the safety and security of freight wagons, developed in collaboration with IIT Guwahati. The system, named Project DRISHTI, was inaugurated at NFR Headquarters in Maligaon, Guwahati, on September 25, 2026, according to Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma.
DRISHTI strengthens the monitoring of freight wagon doors, locks and seals using high-speed cameras, intelligent lighting, secure networking and AI. It is designed to detect possible irregularities or pilferage during transit in time for action to be taken.
How the system works
As trains pass through designated monitoring points, the system examines freight wagons, identifies wagon numbers and assesses the condition of doors, locks and seals. It can flag whether seals and locks are intact or whether a possible irregularity needs attention, and it records inspection findings digitally so railway personnel can act on them quickly.
Why NFR introduced it
NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said freight transport is critical to sustaining supply chains and supporting industry and agriculture. He noted that railways are a lifeline for the regional economy, since geographical and environmental challenges make road transport difficult in the region.
Shrivastava said checking that wagon doors were properly closed and sealed had earlier been done manually, which was challenging and time-consuming, particularly at night and in bad weather. DRISHTI addresses this through faster, more reliable, technology-enabled inspection, he said.
The technology is expected to safeguard consignments, reduce delays and ease the work of frontline personnel, including Railway Protection Force (RPF) and commercial staff, while reducing dependence on manual inspection.
