New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has taken a significant leap beyond urban transit, expanding its consultancy portfolio into the maritime sector. According to an official release, on Monday, DMRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Umeandus Technology Private Limited, and BEML Limited for the development of a Real-Time Automated Cargo Evacuation System (e-FTS) at Kandla, Gujarat.
The initiative marks DMRC’s entry into a new domain of logistics and automation. Under the MoU, the e-FTS will be implemented as a pilot project, with DMRC also proposing to handle its operations and maintenance for 25 years. The detailed responsibilities of each partner will be laid out in a definitive agreement to follow.
The proposed e-FTS is a next-generation automated freight transport and logistics system designed primarily for ports. It integrates advanced technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in cargo movement — while substantially cutting down on time and costs associated with traditional handling processes.
DMRC officials said the system, once validated at Kandla, could be replicated at other locations based on site-specific needs and client requirements, offering a scalable model for port automation in India.
/BI Bureau
