L2M Rail, a startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and focused on railway innovation, has established an artificial intelligence lab for railway safety at the IISc campus in Bengaluru. The facility, located at the Research Centre (iHUB), was inaugurated on April 24, 2025, by Praveen Kumar, Managing Director of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), who attended the event as Guest of Honour. IISc faculty and representatives from L2M Rail were also present.
The AI Lab is intended to develop AI-enabled deep technology systems specifically designed for railway safety, including the development of rail-specific foundational models. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance railway infrastructure and operational reliability through advanced technology.
Also on April 24, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between DFCCIL, IISc, and L2M Rail in the Chamber of Council at IISc. The MoU was exchanged between Praveen Kumar, Managing Director of DFCCIL, and Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc. The collaboration focuses on the development of broken rail detection technology for Indian Railways.
According to DFCCIL, “The purpose of this Lab is to develop AI enabled Deep Tech Systems for Railway Safety including development of Rail Specific Fundamental Models.”
During the event, DFCCIL presented data showing that while road transport’s share has increased over time, rail transport’s share has declined. The corporation stated it is working to increase the share of freight transported by rail, which it views as essential for improving logistics efficiency across India.
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. It is responsible for planning, constructing, and operating dedicated freight corridors across the country to support faster and more reliable movement of goods.
L2M Rail is a technology startup incubated at IISc, working on innovations aimed at improving railway safety and performance through AI and other advanced systems.