A Landmark Partnership for Language Inclusion
In a visionary move to make railway services accessible in every Indian language, BHASHINI and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 9, 2025. This partnership will transform digital public platforms of Indian Railways through AI-driven, multilingual support—setting a new benchmark for inclusive governance.
What the MoU Means
The agreement will integrate BHASHINI’s advanced language technology stack—including Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Text-to-Speech (TTS), Text Translation, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR)—into key railway systems like:
-
National Train Enquiry System (NTES)
-
RailMadad, the passenger grievance redressal portal
This integration will empower citizens to access railway services in 22 Indian languages, enhancing inclusivity and ease of use for millions.
Leaders Speak: Voices Behind the Initiative
Shri Amitabh Nag, CEO of BHASHINI, emphasized:
“This collaboration will transform how millions engage with railway services. Language should never be a barrier when accessing public services.”
Shri G.V.L. Satya Kumar, MD of CRIS, added:
“We are committed to building AI-powered digital platforms that are inclusive, efficient, and user-friendly for all citizens.”
Real-Time Multilingual AI for the Masses
The initiative goes beyond mere text translation. The roadmap includes:
-
Speech-to-text and voice support for railway apps and kiosks
-
AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants for customer support
-
Multilingual counters and enquiry systems at railway stations
-
Support for mobile apps, websites, call centers, and self-help kiosks
-
Pilot programs and workshops to fine-tune regional language integration
These steps will bridge the digital divide and bring cutting-edge AI capabilities directly to the Indian masses.
A Digital India Milestone
This collaboration marks a significant milestone under the Digital India initiative. It aligns with the vision to create inclusive public digital infrastructure that serves all Indians, regardless of linguistic background. By deploying scalable AI solutions in local languages, the Indian government is redefining how public services are delivered.
This also strengthens India’s global leadership in language AI technology, showcasing a model for other multilingual democracies.
Connecting Bharat: More Than Just Trains
Indian Railways serves over 2 crore passengers daily. For many, especially those in rural or non-Hindi speaking regions, language can be a major barrier. BHASHINI and CRIS aim to eliminate that barrier completely.
Soon, a farmer from Odisha or a school teacher in Tamil Nadu will get train updates in their native language, ask queries via voice, or file grievances in their dialect—all with ease.
Conclusion: AI for All Indians
This BHASHINI-CRIS collaboration exemplifies the power of AI to democratize access. With a strong technological backbone and a clear citizen-first approach, Indian Railways is preparing to serve Bharat in Bharat’s own languages—truly echoing the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
