Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav recently launched the Rail Tech Portal and e-RCT, aiming to make the railways faster, safer, and more tech-friendly.
This move is part of a broader reform plan to modernize India’s railway system.
The Rail Tech Portal will connect railway challenges directly with tech companies, startups, and research teams. Innovators can now submit solutions online, which the railway will test as pilot projects.
If successful, these solutions can be scaled across the network, speeding up the adoption of new technologies.
How Technology Will Be Used
The initiative focuses on areas like AI, track monitoring, coach fire warning systems, energy efficiency, and maintenance.
While the railways have been tackling these issues for years, the Rail Tech Portal aims to shorten the time it takes for solutions to reach the ground.
Selected innovators can also get project-based funding to develop and test their ideas.
This ensures that only relevant solutions receive support, reducing the chance of ineffective proposals being promoted.
For passengers, the benefits will be indirect but important.
New technology could help detect coach faults or fires early, improve maintenance, and reduce train delays over time.
e-RCT to Make Claim Filing Easier
Alongside the Rail Tech Portal, the e-RCT system has digitized the Railway Claims Tribunal process.
Passengers can now file and track claims online, reducing the need to visit offices in person.
The government promises more transparency, and the real benefit will be seen if cases are resolved faster.
While the railways have tried several digital initiatives in the past, the success of this project will depend on timely implementation and visible improvements on the ground.
