Built with indigenous technology at an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh, the AI-enabled robot combines continuous surveillance, multilingual announcements and real-time alerts to support railway personnel and improve safety at a busy passenger hub.
Bhubaneswar Railway Station has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous robot named ‘DSC Arjun’ as part of efforts to strengthen passenger safety and modernise security operations. Developed using indigenous technology, the robotic system is expected to assist railway authorities with surveillance and monitoring across the station.
The deployment was formally launched on Thursday, with East Coast Railway officials highlighting the role of AI and automation in improving security as well as operational efficiency at major railway stations.
The robot has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh and is designed to operate in environments where large numbers of passengers move through platforms and other public areas. Its autonomous capabilities allow it to support railway personnel with continuous monitoring while reducing the dependence on manual surveillance alone.
AI-enabled surveillance and passenger assistance
‘DSC Arjun’ incorporates several technologies intended to support both security teams and passengers. One of its key features is a 360-degree surveillance system comprising seven cameras, allowing the robot to monitor activity across different areas of the station.
The system can identify potentially suspicious activity and alert railway officials when it detects situations requiring attention. It is also designed to recognise emergency incidents, including fire-related events, enabling authorities to respond more quickly to possible threats.
Beyond security monitoring, the robot has been equipped with communication capabilities to provide information to passengers. It can make announcements in Odia, Hindi and English, including advance notifications about approaching or arriving trains.
The multilingual functionality is intended to make automated passenger communication more accessible in a busy railway environment, while its surveillance capabilities provide an additional layer of support for personnel managing station operations.
From Puri festival duty to Bhubaneswar deployment
The deployment at Bhubaneswar follows the robot’s earlier operational use at Puri Railway Station during the Rath Yatra festivities. It was introduced there to assist railway authorities with crowd management and security during one of Odisha’s largest annual religious gatherings.
The Puri deployment continued through the Bahuda Yatra, when the railway station experienced significant passenger movement as large numbers of devotees travelled to the city. The experience provided an opportunity to assess the robot’s capabilities in a challenging, high-density environment.
Following its deployment in Puri, railway authorities have now moved ‘DSC Arjun’ to Bhubaneswar Railway Station for regular surveillance and passenger-security duties.
The introduction reflects the growing adoption of AI, robotics and automated monitoring technologies within railway operations. By combining surveillance, emergency detection and passenger communication in a single platform, the system is expected to provide railway personnel with additional technological support for managing safety and day-to-day operations.
