The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has introduced an AI-based robotic surveillance system at Puri railway station ahead of Lord Jagannath’s Bahuda Yatra on July 24. The technology aims to strengthen passenger safety and support security personnel during the large-scale religious gathering.DSC ARJUN to Assist RPF During Bahuda YatraThe AI-powered robotic platform, named DSC ARJUN, will initially be deployed at Puri station due to the expected arrival of lakhs of devotees for the festival."Since lakhs of devotees throng the pilgrim town on the occasion of Bahuda Yatra, ECoR authorities have decided to deploy it in Puri for the time being. It may later be shifted to Bhubaneswar railway station," an official said.AI Technology to Improve Railway SecurityAccording to ECoR, DSC ARJUN has been developed to assist the Railway Protection Force (RPF) by using advanced technologies such as:Artificial Intelligence (AI)Computer visionMachine learningInternet of Things (IoT)-based systemsThe platform is designed to provide faster monitoring and enable more proactive security measures at railway stations.Evolution of Robotic Policing in Indian RailwaysRobotic security systems were first introduced in Indian Railways in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Central Railway developed Captain ARJUN to support frontline staff.Following this initiative, ECoR launched the humanoid robot ASC ARJUN at Visakhapatnam railway station on January 23 this year. DSC ARJUN is the next step in this technology journey, combining AI-powered surveillance with advanced analytics.Key Features of DSC ARJUNDesigned as a support system for RPF personnel, DSC ARJUN can provide 24/7 surveillance and intelligent monitoring. Its major features include:AI-based facial recognitionReal-time crowd analysisPassenger countingUnattended baggage detectionSuspicious activity identificationPublic announcementsLive video streamingInstant security alertsDeployment Across Sensitive Railway AreasOfficials said the robotic platform can be used at several locations, including:Railway platformsStation concoursesBooking countersWaiting hallsParking areasParcel officesOther vulnerable zonesRole in Crowd Management and Emergency ResponseECoR officials said continuous monitoring and AI-based analysis will help RPF personnel in preventing crimes, managing large crowds, protecting railway property and responding quickly during emergencies.The deployment of DSC ARJUN marks another step towards integrating advanced technology into railway security operations.[With PTI inputs]