Is Bhashini and CRIS Teaming Up for Multilingual AI Solutions in Indian Railways?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
A groundbreaking collaboration between Bhashini and CRIS is set to transform how Indian Railways serves its passengers. By integrating advanced AI technologies, this initiative promises to break down language barriers and enhance accessibility for millions of users.
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration between Bhashini and CRIS focuses on multilingual AI solutions.
- Integration of advanced language technologies across railway platforms.
- Access to services in 22 Indian languages.
- Development of AI-driven chatbots and voice assistants.
- Enhancement of passenger accessibility and engagement.
New Delhi, June 9 (NationPress) The Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) have joined forces to create and implement multilingual artificial intelligence solutions across vital public-facing railway platforms.
This collaboration aims to incorporate Bhashini's advanced language technology stack, which includes Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Text-to-Text Translation, Text-to-Speech (TTS), and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), into CRIS-managed systems such as the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) and RailMadad.
As a result, citizens will be able to access essential railway services in 22 Indian languages.
“This collaboration will revolutionize how millions of passengers interact with railway services each day. With Bhashini’s AI capabilities, we are ensuring that language is no longer a barrier to accessing crucial public services,” stated Amitabh Nag, CEO of Bhashini.
The partnership will also emphasize the co-development of chatbots and voice assistants for multilingual passenger support, the creation of multilingual over-the-counter interfaces for railway inquiry setups, scaling Bhashini-powered services via cloud and on-premise infrastructure, and deploying these functionalities across websites, mobile applications, kiosks, and call centers, facilitating real-time, speech-based interactions in multiple Indian languages.
A series of collaborative technical workshops and pilot deployments are planned to begin in the upcoming months.
“CRIS is honored to collaborate with Bhashini to implement inclusive, AI-driven solutions across our digital platforms. This initiative will improve accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in our passenger-facing services,” asserted G.V.L. Satya Kumar, Managing Director of CRIS.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signifies a significant milestone in the vision of Digital India and further enhances India’s standing as a global leader in language AI for public digital infrastructure, as stated by the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
Last month, the India AI Mission, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), announced a partnership with Intel India to boost Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities and skills development.
The collaboration will focus on key initiatives, including YuvaAI empowers (for school students), StartupAI (for startups), and IndiaAI Dialogues (for public sector leaders and policy practitioners). It will also facilitate Bhashini's expansion to remote classrooms across India on AI.
Point of View
The partnership between Bhashini and CRIS exemplifies India’s commitment to leveraging technology for public welfare. This collaboration not only enhances accessibility but also reinforces the nation's position in the global AI landscape, ensuring that technological advancements benefit all citizens.
NationPress
09/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the collaboration between Bhashini and CRIS?
The collaboration aims to develop and implement multilingual AI solutions to enhance the accessibility of railway services for passengers across India.
How many languages will the railway services support?
Citizens will be able to access railway services in 22 different Indian languages.
What technologies are being integrated into the railway systems?
The technologies include Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Text-to-Text Translation, Text-to-Speech (TTS), and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
What are some planned features for passenger support?
Features include chatbots, voice assistants, multilingual interfaces, and real-time speech interactions across various platforms.
When will the pilot deployments begin?
A series of technical workshops and pilot deployments are scheduled to commence in the coming months.
