Bharat Stars Taps Netradyne AI to Boost Aviation Fuelling Safety

Bharat Stars Services Private Limited (BSSPL), a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Singapore's ST Airport Services (STARS), has partnered with fleet-safety technology firm Netradyne to bring AI-powered driver monitoring to its aviation fuelling operations at some of India's busiest airports.

The engagement will see Netradyne's edge-AI Driver-i platform deployed across BSSPL's aviation fuelling fleet operating in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The two companies say the move is aimed at strengthening safety standards in one of the most high-stakes ground-operation environments in Indian aviation.

Why airside fuelling is high-risk

Aviation fuel handling is among the most safety-critical functions at any airport. Fuelling vehicles, refuellers and dispensers operate in close proximity to active aircraft, ground support equipment and personnel, often under strict speed limits. In such an environment, even a momentary lapse in a driver's alertness or vehicle handling can carry severe consequences.

How the Driver-i platform works

According to Netradyne, the Driver-i platform analyses 100% of drive time using computer vision and edge AI, rather than relying only on event-triggered recording. This gives BSSPL continuous visibility into fleet operations and helps flag early signs of driver fatigue and drowsiness, a primary safety concern in repetitive airside work.

The system delivers immediate in-cab audio alerts before a situation escalates. When distraction or unsafe behaviour is detected, drivers get real-time prompts that let them self-correct on the spot, reducing reliance on post-incident reviews. The platform also issues collision warnings for potential risks involving aircraft, equipment or personnel on the tarmac.

Rewarding safe driving, not just flagging risk

Netradyne says what sets the technology apart is its ability to recognise positive driving behaviour and not just risk. Through the company's GreenZone safety scoring framework, BSSPL can benchmark and track safe-driving performance across its workforce, giving operations managers a clearer picture of what is working well.

JP Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Bharat Stars Services, said the technology adds a layer of real-time support to the company's existing safety protocols. "Our ground operations teams work around the clock, 365 days a year, in some of the most demanding environments at an airport. We have always maintained rigorous safety standards, but the reality of round-the-clock operations is that fatigue, distraction and momentary lapses can occur even among the most experienced operators. Netradyne gives us an additional layer of real-time support, helping us detect these risks as they happen and intervene before they become incidents," he said.

Durgadutt Nedungadi, Senior Vice President for India, APAC and the Middle East at Netradyne, said BSSPL's decision reflected a forward-looking approach to safety. "Airside fuelling is an environment where precision, compliance and situational awareness are critical at every moment. BSSPL's decision to deploy Netradyne across its operations demonstrates a forward-looking approach to safety that goes beyond compliance," he said.

About the companies

Bharat Stars Services Private Limited is an equal joint venture between BPCL and ST Airport Services, Singapore. Incorporated in September 2007, it began into-plane fuelling operations in May 2008 at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport and today provides into-plane fuelling, fuel-farm management and aviation fuel solutions at major airports across India.

Netradyne, founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, provides AI-powered technologies for fleet safety and management, and counts thousands of commercial fleet customers across North America, Europe and Asia.