India’s National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has introduced an AI-powered system at Namo Bharat stations that can detect elevator entrapment within 60 seconds and automatically trigger an emergency response, the agency announced in April 2026.
Developed entirely in-house by NCRTC, the system uses AI-enabled camera analytics to monitor lift enclosures in real time. When a passenger is detected as trapped, it sends immediate alerts to the Namo Bharat Operations Control Centre (OCC) and station control staff through integrated communication channels, including instant messages. An alarm is also activated at the lift’s location to prompt on-site staff to begin evacuation.
If the passenger is not rescued within a further 60 seconds, the alert automatically escalates to a “critical” level to ensure urgent attention, according to an NCRTC official.
Previously, commuters had to manually press alarm buttons or use intercom systems to notify staff. The new system automates detection, alert generation, and escalation until the situation is resolved.
A notable aspect of the deployment is its use of existing CCTV infrastructure. The system operates fully offline, with all data processed within a secure on-premises network and no dependency on internet connectivity or cloud platforms — a design the NCRTC official described as cost-effective, secure, and scalable.
As a practical example, NCRTC noted that a commuter trapped in a lift at Ghaziabad Namo Bharat station, travelling between the concourse and platform levels, would trigger alerts to both the OCC and station staff within 60 seconds, with alarms continuing until the passenger is safely evacuated.
NCRTC said the system could potentially be replicated across other public infrastructure settings, including metro networks, railways, airports, hospitals, commercial establishments, and industrial facilities.
Source: mint – technology