RailTech Policy Launched Railway Claims Tribunal Goes Fully Digital

Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils RailTech Portal and e-RCT Under 52 Reforms Drive

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced two major reforms under Indian Railways’ “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” programme: the RailTech Policy and complete digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT). The twin initiatives aim to accelerate technology adoption and deliver citizen-centric justice services.

RailTech Policy: Structured Innovation Induction

The RailTech Policy institutionalises engagement with startups, industry and academia through a dedicated RailTech Portal offering single-stage submissions for innovation challenges. Financial support has been enhanced—prototype and trial grants are increased, and scale-up funding expanded—while promising solutions will receive long-term orders after validation.

Priority domains include AI-based Elephant Intrusion Detection, AI-enabled coach fire detection, drone-based broken rail inspection, rail stress monitoring, sensor-driven load calculation, solar integration on coaches, AI-led coach cleaning audits, fog obstruction detection, and digital pension/dispute systems. Railways may fund up to 50% of development costs, shifting procurement from vendor-centric to trial-and-adopt models inspired by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).

e-RCT: End-to-End Digital Adjudication

Reform Four introduces e-RCT, enabling 24×7 online filing across 23 benches in 21 cities. The system integrates e-filing, a centralised Case Information System and a Document Management System, supporting paperless workflows, hybrid hearings, digital evidence recording, automated notifications and online access to orders—minimising jurisdictional confusion and travel burdens.

Important Facts for Exams

• RCT established under the Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987.

• RCT handles accident compensation and goods-related claims.

• iDEX promotes defence innovation via challenge-based funding.

• Digital tribunals advance e-governance and ease of justice delivery.

Together, RailTech and e-RCT mark a shift to innovation-led railway modernisation and technology-enabled, transparent grievance redressal.