Industrial digital transformation is a strategic decision that can yield benefits like improved operational efficiency, higher revenue, and lower expenses. It’s not just a trend; it’s a need for organisations to achieve their goals. Organisations can gain a competitive advantage through quick adaptation, setting them up for success in the increasingly digital world.

This transformation involves leveraging digital tools for various organisational functions, such as operations and maintenance (O&M) activities, administrative activities, asset management, and Project Monitoring and scheduling.

Maha Metro has initiated digitisation of many activities to achieve this digital transformation. Few activities have already been transformed, and few are in the pipeline. Some critical components of our system, required meticulous documentation and real-time information. Traditionally, these activities involved extensive paperwork for tracking maintenance schedules, reporting issues, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The transition to a paperless working environment in metro rail systems brings several benefits, such as environmental sustainability, cost savings, operational efficiency, and data security. The journey towards a paperless working environment in metro rail systems is a testament to the transformative power of digital technology. By digitising operations and maintenance activities, leveraging CDE (Common Data Environment) platforms, implementing EDMS (Electronic Data Management Systems), optimising IT asset management, streamlining administrative tasks, and enhancing customer feedback systems, metro rail systems can achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, higher revenue, lower expenses and customer satisfaction.

The following are IT initiatives are taken by Maha Metro IT Department:

1. 5D BIM platform for Project Monitoring

Maha-Metro has successfully implemented and utilised India’s first 5D BIM (5 Dimensional Building Information Modelling) Project Management solutions. The current IT set-up and software deployment are being used extensively, catering to the design, build and execution of the Project. 5DBIM integration allows project stakeholders to visualise and analyse the progress of construction activities and associated costs over time, providing a more dynamic and realistic representation of the project. 5D BIM represents a significant advancement in the industry, offering a holistic approach to project management that integrates geometry, time, and cost into a single, comprehensive model. By enhancing visualisation, collaboration, and decision-making, 5D BIM helps in delivering projects more efficiently, cost-effectively, and with greater predictability.

2. Digitisation of Metro O&M Activities on NET Platform

Operations & Maintenance activities had been documented and managed through SAP. An initiative was taken by Maha Metro to develop a customised solution for performing all these O&M activities on the digital platform of .Net framework. These activities will be performed on a digital platform built on the .NET framework. All O&M records, logs, and reports will be digitised and maintained on a centralised server allowing for real-time updates, access & monitoring.

Benefits:

• Enhanced efficiency with automated workflows.
• Significant reduction in manual errors.
• Improved data accessibility and sharing among departments.
• Real-time monitoring and reporting capabilities.
• Saving on account of less manpower requirement.

3. CDE (Common Data Environment) Repository for accessing 2D/3D documents of the project

In response to the unexpected lock-in situation caused by COTS used for the CDE platform in Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation projects, we have developed a dedicated software solution. This software facilitates seamless access to 2D/3D documents of projects that were accessible through only proprietary licensed applications/Software. It also enables the efficient upload of pending drawings, ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of our project operations.

The development of an in-house software solution for repository access and drawing upload represents a strategic response to the unexpected lock-in COTS. This initiative ensures the seamless continuity of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation projects by providing an efficient, secure, and user-friendly alternative for accessing and managing project data. By maintaining control over our project information and mitigating disruptions, we enhance the overall effectiveness and success of our project operations.

Also Read :- Maharashtra Cutting Through Red Tapism and Corruption with e-Panchnama Initiative

4. EDMS (Electronic Document Management System) Project

In the pursuit of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, we have developed an in-house Common Data Environment (CDE) platform tailored specifically for the needs of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation projects. This initiative is designed to streamline project activities while avoiding the recurring expenses associated with purchasing and maintaining external software solutions.

The development of an in-house CDE platform represents a strategic investment in the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation projects. By providing a customised, secure, and cost-saving solution, we are better positioned to achieve our project goals while maintaining control over our data and resources. This initiative not only enhances our operational capabilities but also contributes to the sustainable growth and success of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation.

5. Digitization of IT Asset Management

This module has digitised the following processes. This has absolutely reduced paper usage and brought transparency to these activities.

• DSC issuance.
• IT asset requisition.
• QR-based IT asset auditing.

6. Digitization of Administrative Activities

The following process is in development. It will ensure the digitisation of office administrative processes. This will result in Increased efficiency and reduced manual workload, Better resource management and allocation, Improved user experience with streamlined processes, and Reduced paper usage in administrative operations.

a. Conference room Booking
b. MD/Dir Meeting scheduler (Mobile App)
c. Inward/Outward register

7. Digitization Customer Feedback/Suggestion

Customer feedback has been collected through paper forms, making it difficult to analyse and implement suggestions efficiently. To gather and implement customer feedback through a digital platform. A digital platform will be used to collect, analyse, and act upon customer feedback in a structured manner.

Enhanced customer satisfaction through responsive improvements, Better service quality based on actionable insights, Informed decision-making with data-driven feedback, and increased engagement with customers and stakeholders.

8. eTraining in Maha Metro

The Pune Metro IT team is developing an in-house module for training O&M staff. The module will include different types of tests and learning methods to assess the competency and fitness of O&M staff.

It is divided into the following sub-module

a) Learning
b) Quiz
c) Competency test

9) eOffice & Sparrow

Maha Metro has adopted NIC’s eOffice and Sparrow to digitalise office work. eOffice allows users to create and manage electronic documents in the workflow, along with versions (tracking history) that can be easily viewed, searched, shared, and published. In addition to file management, Maha Metro is also effectively using the Leave, Tour, and APAR modules, resulting in Transparency and speedy processing.

The Pune Metro IT division is led by Shri Kiran Sonkusale, Joint General Manager, under the strategic direction and guidance of Shri VK Agrawal, Director (Systems & Operations), and Shri Rajeev Kumar, Executive Director.

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