NEW DELHI, 28 February 2025: India has joined an exclusive group of only five other nations capable of indigenously developing advanced automatic train supervision systems, following the successful deployment of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s i-ATS (Indigenous-Automatic Train Supervision) technology. “We have become the sixth country in the world to have this system indigenised,” said Dr Vikas Kumar, Managing Director of DMRC, during his address at the 2nd FICCI Awards for Excellence in Maintenance Systems and Conference today.
The i-ATS system is a critical computer-based technology that manages train operations throughout the Delhi Metro network. It places India alongside global transit technology leaders in developing proprietary control systems rather than relying on imported solutions.
“As India moves forward, intelligent and efficient systems for sustainable infrastructure maintenance will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency for both the manufacturing and service industries,” Dr. Kumar told industry leaders and innovators at the conference.
Beyond the i-ATS system, DMRC has embarked on a broader AI-driven transformation of its maintenance operations, shifting from preventive and reactive approaches to predictive and condition-based maintenance to optimise asset performance. Another key initiative which Delhi metro plans to take is Automated Inspection Systems through AI powered Drones for maintenance. The organisation faces unique challenges, including a narrow four-hour nightly maintenance window for a network serving millions of passengers daily.
Key AI initiatives include developing a Trinetra dashboard to monitor key performance indicators, AI-enabled predictive analysis for early fault detection, digital twin technologies, IoTs and smart sensors, and automated inspection systems powered by machine vision.
“A case of small vibrations and temperature rise in a traction motor was predicted by AI, and we could see it had a minor issue of bearing alignment, which was resolved timely,” Dr Kumar explained, illustrating how the technology had already prevented potentially catastrophic equipment failures.
“The future of maintenance is intelligent, data-driven and AI-enabled,” Dr Kumar added, while also emphasising the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard these increasingly connected systems.
On occasion, Mr. Shyam Bang, Chairman of the FICCI Manufacturing Excellence Committee, highlighted the significance of maintenance systems in India’s economic growth journey. “India is currently the fifth largest economy in the world. However, to this growth, the services sector has contributed more than the manufacturing sector,” he said. Mr. Bang emphasised that for India to join the ranks of developed nations, it must strengthen its manufacturing industry by adopting effective systems and emerging technologies. He noted that while maintenance is “typically not included in boardroom discussions,” it plays a crucial role in ensuring uninterrupted production of quality products. The FICCI Awards for Excellence in Maintenance Systems were established to recognise this often-overlooked area, with the current event marking its second edition.
The 2nd FICCI Awards for Excellence in Maintenance Systems recognised nine organisations across various categories for their outstanding maintenance practices. Hero MotoCorp Limited’s Dharuhera Plant received the Platinum Prize in the Manufacturing Sector (Large Category), while Gold Prizes were awarded to Bosch Automotive Electronics India and Utkal Alumina International in the same category. XPRO India’s BIAX Division-Barjora secured the Gold Prize in the Manufacturing Sector (Medium Category), with Oerlikon Balzers Coating India winning in the Small Category.
In the Power Sector, Renusagar Power Division of Hindalco Industries earned Gold, whilst JSW Energy received Silver.
In the Construction Sector, Larsen & Toubro’s Buildings & Factories IC Plant & Machinery at the Common Central Secretariat Project in New Delhi won Silver in the large category, and Skyview by Empyrean, Jammu, won Silver in the Medium Category.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Benjamin Samuel, General Manager and Business Head – Building & Construction Sector, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, showcased the company’s AI-integrated pump maintenance systems. “When you have real-time health monitoring systems, you can get alerts on issues before failures occur,” said Samuel, highlighting KirloSmart, their IoT-based remote monitoring solution that combines artificial intelligence with augmented reality for predictive maintenance.On occasion, Dr Vikas Kumar also launched the Handbook for the 2nd FICCI Awards for Excellence in Maintenance Systems and Conference.
