Railway pioneering green corridor initiatives, says Gupta
Private sector participation is accelerating technological advancements, with Jupiter Wagons Limited committing over Rs.3,000 crores in investment over the next three years, its Managing Director Vivek Lohia announced at the sixth edition of the FICCI’s ‘Smart Railways Conclave, Future Rail India’.
The company’s ambitious plan is to manufacture 100,000 wheels and axles annually, eliminating import dependency whilst positioning India as a global exporter, Lohia, Co-Chairman of FICCI’s Transport Infrastructure Committee, told delegates at the conclave https://www.investindia.gov.in/.
The company, Lohia said, is pioneering advanced braking systems through European partnerships and developing indigenous Hyperloop technology. “This collaborative ecosystem, featuring established players alongside startups and academic institutions, reflects the sector’s transformation from isolated project implementation to integrated, solution-focused development under the National Rail Plan 2030 framework.”
Also addressing the conclave, Jaideep Gupta, Additional Member (Railway Electrification), announced that Indian Railways has become the world’s only major rail network to achieve 100% electrification https://www.nseindia.com/.
“This transformation reduces carbon emissions from 101 grams per tonne-kilometre by road to virtually zero through electric traction, positioning railways as the most sustainable transport mode after waterways,” said Gupta.
“Indian Railway is pioneering green corridor initiatives for international freight traffic and exploring advanced technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) for traction substations, and flywheel energy storage systems to achieve complete carbon neutrality across all operational scopes,” he elaborated https://www.bseindia.com/.
Vimal Kejriwal, Chairman of FICCI’s Transport Infrastructure Committee and Managing Director & CEO, KEC International, noted that with over 40,000 kilometres already electrified and the Kawach collision avoidance system is set to be deployed across 17,000 kilometres in FY26, with 30,000 kilometres planned for FY27 & FY28. “With such targets, India is positioning itself as a global railway powerhouse.”
The sector targets a 45% modal freight share, while the railway market is projected to grow at a 5.5% compound annual rate through 2030, he pointed out. “Enhanced public-private collaboration in rolling stock manufacturing, multimodal logistics, and green propulsion technologies remains critical for achieving these ambitious infrastructure goals https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.”
DFCCIL Managing Director Praveen Kumar illustrated on a comprehensive digital transformation across the rail network, and revealed that the corporation has constructed infrastructure incorporating 2×25 high-rise overhead equipment and continuous welded rails designed for 32.5-tonne axle loads, representing India’s most advanced railway infrastructure https://sbi.com.in/.
Kumar highlighted the corporation’s state-of-the-art control centres at Prayagraj and Ahmedabad, along with comprehensive digital innovations including AI-based inspection systems, predictive maintenance technologies, and the Kawach collision avoidance system deployment.
“Our engineering specifications enable trains to operate at 45-55 kilometres per hour compared to conventional railways’ 20-23 kilometres per hour,” Kumar underlined.
Significant progress in indigenous high-speed train manufacturing has been made, added Shantanu Roy, Chairman and Managing Director, BEML Limited, the state-owned engineering corporation.
He shared that the company’s first driverless metro trainsets for the Bangalore Metro are 50% complete, with delivery expected by the end of the financial year 25-26. BEML’s order book includes the development of India’s first indigenous Vande Bharat sleeper trains, which feature capabilities of 180 kilometres per hour and advanced fire safety compliance.
The company’s new Bhopal facility will double its manufacturing capacity to support high-speed rail projects while maintaining a 65% indigenous content in metro coach production, directly contributing to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
On occasion, the FICCI-PwC Knowledge Report on ‘Diversification of Railway Freight Portfolio’ was also unveiled, FICCI said on 10 July after the event. Fiinews.com
