Indian Railways is partnering with Bihar‑based startup Sarva Suvidhaen to pilot artificial intelligence and Internet of Things solutions aimed at improving real‑time monitoring and decision‑making across its vast network.
Key takeaways
- Problem focus: Delayed field reports and fragmented data hinder timely actions in the railway system.
- Technology mix: The firm combines AI, IoT, computer vision and custom software to automate data collection.
- Founders’ background: CTO Atul Anand brings 12 years of software experience; co‑founder Srishti adds business and operations expertise.
- Origin story: The idea emerged during the COVID‑19 lockdown when the founders, working from Patna, identified gaps in railway data handling.
- Future outlook: Sarva Suvidhaen plans to expand its solutions to other large public‑infrastructure projects.
Addressing data delays
Indian Railways operates thousands of trains and millions of passengers daily. Officials often receive field reports late, and information is scattered across multiple platforms. The lack of real‑time visibility can cause cascading delays.
AI‑IoT platform
Sarva Suvidhaen is developing a platform that equips stations, tracks and field teams with sensors and cameras. Collected data is processed through AI models to detect anomalies, predict maintenance needs and alert controllers instantly. Computer‑vision algorithms analyse visual feeds for equipment wear, while IoT devices transmit status updates to a central dashboard.
Founders’ journey
Atul Anand attended a Hindi‑medium government school in Bihar, earned a BTech from NIT Trichy and worked for firms including Oracle and BEL. Srishti completed a BBM and MBA, then held roles at Randstad and Cognizant. Their complementary skill sets shaped the startup’s focus on public‑sector challenges rather than private‑sector applications.
Expansion plans
The company aims to replicate its railway solutions for other infrastructure sectors such as roads and ports. By automating data collection and analysis, Sarva Suvidhaen hopes to reduce operational bottlenecks and enhance governance.