In a major step towards enhancing passenger safety and modernising railway security, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered robotic surveillance system named ‘DSC Arjun’. The smart rover has been developed to monitor railway stations, detect emergencies in real time, assist in crowd management, and strengthen security through advanced AI-based surveillance.
Built at an estimated cost of ₹40 lakh, the AI-enabled rover is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including seven 360-degree AI cameras, facial recognition capabilities, and intelligent monitoring systems. The initiative is part of East Coast Railway’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced technologies into railway operations to ensure safer and smarter travel for passengers.
AI Rover To Monitor Stations Round The Clock
The robotic surveillance system will continuously patrol station premises and monitor passenger movement. Using its AI-powered cameras, DSC Arjun can instantly detect passengers trespassing onto railway tracks, identify suspicious activities, and alert railway officials about emergencies such as fire incidents or security threats.
Apart from surveillance, the rover is also capable of providing important announcements and information to passengers, making it a multi-purpose assistant for railway operations.
First Deployment At Puri Railway Station
In the first phase, DSC Arjun will be deployed at Puri Railway Station, where lakhs of devotees are expected to arrive during the ongoing Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra festivals.
The AI rover will remain operational in Puri until the completion of the Bahuda Yatra to help railway authorities manage the heavy passenger rush and strengthen security arrangements during one of Odisha’s largest religious gatherings.
Following its deployment in Puri, the rover will be introduced at Bhubaneswar Railway Station as part of East Coast Railway’s broader plan to transform major stations into technology-driven transport hubs.
Built On Experience Of Human Robocop
Speaking about the initiative, East Coast Railway General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal said the organisation has consistently adopted advanced technologies to improve passenger safety.
He recalled that East Coast Railway had introduced a Human Robocop at Visakhapatnam Railway Station in January 2026. Based on operational experience and feedback, engineers enhanced the system, addressed its limitations, and developed the more advanced AI-enabled rover.
The new system offers improved mobility, smarter surveillance capabilities and better operational efficiency compared to earlier robotic security solutions.
Facial Recognition And Intelligent Crowd Management
One of the key features of DSC Arjun is its facial recognition technology, which enables railway authorities to identify wanted criminals, missing persons or other individuals of interest.
Officials can upload a photograph into the system, and if the individual enters the rover’s surveillance area, it can automatically identify the person and send an immediate alert to security personnel.
The AI rover also uses intelligent analytics to estimate passenger headcount and monitor crowd density in real time. This will help authorities manage congestion more effectively during festivals, holidays and peak travel periods, ensuring smoother passenger movement across stations.
Strengthening Railway Security Through AI
East Coast Railway officials said the induction of DSC Arjun marks another significant milestone in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence for railway safety and station management. Besides enhancing passenger security, the AI-powered rover is expected to improve operational efficiency by enabling faster incident detection, quicker emergency response and better crowd monitoring.
The initiative reflects Indian Railways’ growing focus on leveraging emerging technologies such as AI, robotics and smart surveillance to build safer, more efficient and passenger-friendly railway stations across the country.
