The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), organized a significant conference in Lucknow on Friday focused on 'Innovative Technologies in Railways.' This gathering united senior officials, industry leaders, and researchers to explore the technological advancements defining the future of India's extensive rail network.
Railway Modernization: From 75 kmph to 200 kmph Vision
Udit Borwanker, the Director General of RDSO, served as the event's chief guest and detailed the organization's pivotal role in modernizing Indian Railways since its establishment in 1957. He highlighted a remarkable journey of progress, noting that track speed potential has surged from 75 kmph to 160 kmph, with a clear roadmap to achieve 200 kmph. Concurrently, passenger coach capacity has expanded to accommodate nearly 2,000 passengers per rake, while freight capability has grown impressively from 150 to 250 tonnes per axle.
Borwanker emphasized the critical role of the indigenous Kavach safety system in enhancing operational security. Looking forward, he announced ambitious plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive maintenance protocols, and sustainable technologies through strategic collaborations with premier institutions like the IITs.
Massive Investment and Expansion Plans Unveiled
Abhishek Saraff, Managing Director of Avadh Rail Infra Ltd and chairman of the conference, outlined the major initiatives announced in the Union Rail Budget for 2025-26. These include the manufacturing of 200 new Vande Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains, and 50 Namo Bharat rapid rail units. The budget also allocates a monumental Rs 1.16 lakh crore for safety investments and an additional Rs 2.64 lakh crore for Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-led development projects.
Sushil Kumar, Managing Director of UPMRC, detailed Uttar Pradesh's ambitious Metro expansion strategy. The plan envisions a massive 1,500 km network across the state, which includes 200 km in Lucknow and a substantial 550 km covering Kanpur and Agra. This infrastructure push is designed to be a key enabler for Uttar Pradesh's vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
Projected Growth Driven by Smart Technologies
Industrialists and experts at the conference projected an extraordinary growth trajectory for Indian Railways. By the year 2030, they forecast the network will carry an estimated 12 trillion passengers and 8.2 billion tonnes of freight annually. This staggering growth is expected to be fueled by the adoption of smart operations and cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies, positioning Indian Railways as a global leader in rail transportation.
The conference ultimately painted a picture of a rapidly modernizing railway system, poised for a transformative decade ahead through technological innovation, strategic investment, and expansive infrastructure development.
