The Indian Railways has issued a ₹3,200 crore tender for the implementation of light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) technology to bolster track safety.

What Happened: The LiDAR technology will be employed to identify fractures, faults and missing sections on the tracks, according to a report by Moneycontrol. The system will create 3D models of railway tracks using sensor images, thereby minimising human intervention and potential accidents.

The tenders are for the installation of LiDAR systems across 1,000 trains and 1,500 kilometres of tracks, with the project expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months. The technology will make use of laser beams to map the tracks, spot obstacles and measure distances. The sensors will be positioned on moving trains and at fixed points along the network to provide real-time data on track conditions, the report added.

This initiative is a response to several attempts at train derailments. In 2024 alone, there were 24 attempts to sabotage or manipulate tracks to derail trains. Despite the Indian Railways thwarting 90% of these attempts, there were instances where coaches derailed after colliding with stationary objects, causing injuries to passengers.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier confirmed that the Indian Railways had sought the National Investigation Agency‘s (NIA) help to probe the issue. He stressed that LiDAR would speed up the detection of track flaws, enabling quicker responses to problems.

Indian firms involved in LiDAR technology include Gurugram-based NeoGeoInfo, Bengaluru’s Intraspatial, and Hyderabad-based Geokno. The global LiDAR industry is primarily controlled by Chinese companies like Shanghai-based HESAI Technology.

In addition to the LiDAR project, the Indian Railways reportedly intends to install 75 lakh AI-powered CCTV cameras in coaches and locomotives at a cost of ₹15,000 crore to enhance safety. Tenders for this initiative are expected to be floated soon.

TrendForce 2024 Infrared Sensing Application Market and Branding Strategies