AI-Powered Robot ‘DSC ARJUN’ Deployed at Puri Railway Station to Strengthen Security During Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar: In a first-of-its-kind initiative to enhance passenger safety during the ongoing Rath Yatra celebrations, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has deployed an AI-enabled robotic security system, DSC ARJUN, at Puri Railway Station.

The move comes as the pilgrim town witnesses an unprecedented rush of devotees arriving for key Rath Yatra events, including Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, and Adharapana. With lakhs of passengers expected to pass through the station, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has introduced the intelligent robotic platform to strengthen surveillance and assist in crowd management.

DSC ARJUN, which stands for Dedicated Security Chassis Advanced Railway Junction Under Network Enabled Surveillance, has been designed to patrol important areas of the station such as platforms, waiting halls, entry and exit points, and circulating areas. While on patrol, the robot issues public safety announcements, reminding passengers to board and deboard trains carefully, protect their belongings, avoid trespassing, and follow railway safety guidelines.

Equipped with advanced technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the robotic platform acts as a force multiplier for RPF personnel by providing continuous, real-time monitoring of station premises.

Among its key features are AI-driven facial recognition, crowd density analysis, passenger counting, unattended baggage detection, suspicious activity identification, live video streaming, automated public announcements, and instant alert generation. These capabilities enable security personnel to respond more efficiently to potential threats while maintaining effective crowd control.

According to East Coast Railway, the deployment of DSC ARJUN reflects its focus on integrating modern technology into railway security, particularly during large-scale religious gatherings where passenger movement is exceptionally high.

Railway officials said the combination of AI-powered surveillance and on-ground monitoring by the RPF is expected to significantly improve safety, operational efficiency, and the overall travel experience for devotees visiting Puri during the Rath Yatra festival.