Bhubaneswar Railway Station has officially bolstered its security infrastructure with the induction of an advanced AI-powered robot named ‘DSC Arjun’. Designed to assist the Railway Protection Force (RPF), this robotic surveillance unit aims to streamline crowd management and enhance safety protocols across the station premises. Following a successful pilot during the Rath Yatra festival at Puri, the robot was officially inducted at Bhubaneswar on August 6, 2026, after an initial launch by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) on July 22, 2026.
- AI-powered surveillance: Equipped with 360-degree cameras to monitor platforms, concourses, and parking zones.
- Advanced tracking: Capable of identifying suspicious activities, unattended baggage, and crowd surges.
- Facial recognition: Database integration to help identify intruders and wanted criminals.
- Multilingual assistance: Provides announcements and safety guidance in Odia, Hindi, and English.
Next Generation Railway Security
Developed at an estimated cost of ₹40 lakh, the robot stands for Dedicated Security Chassis Advanced Railway Junction under Network-enabled surveillance. According to ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, the robot acts as a “force multiplier” for railway policing. By leveraging machine learning and IoT technologies, the robot provides round-the-clock surveillance, ensuring that potential threats or safety hazards are identified in real-time. It is specifically programmed to alert authorities if passengers are seen moving dangerously near the tracks.
Enhanced Passenger Communication
Beyond its security functions, DSC Arjun serves as a digital assistant for commuters. It is equipped with a multilingual public address system that provides critical updates, including train arrival alerts and safety guidelines regarding luggage security and track crossing. This unit is an advanced successor to the ‘ASC Arjun’ humanoid robot previously deployed in Visakhapatnam. The integration of this technology marks a significant leap in the East Coast Railway’s commitment to modernizing station security and improving the overall passenger experience through cutting-edge artificial intelligence.