The Rail India Conference & Expo, a major event in the railway sector, has opened its doors to offer a platform for discussions on the future of railways, focusing on modern transformations with sustainability at the forefront. This year’s conference has successfully brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore the future of Indian Railways under the theme “Indian Railways Excellence: Green, Safe, Modern.”
Indian Railways, one of the largest employers in the country, is looking to implement bold upgrades, including harnessing clean energy from renewable sources like solar and wind. The organization has also shown interest in incorporating nuclear power in its efforts to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2030.
The 8th edition of the Rail India Conference & Expo hosted a distinguished group of delegates from various sectors, including Abhay Bakre, Mission Director of the National Green Hydrogen Mission at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE); Rupesh Kohli, Executive Director of Testing, Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO); Rajeev Singh Thakur, IAS, Adviser at NITI Aayog; Manu Srivastava, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary for the Government of Madhya Pradesh’s New & Renewable Energy Department; and Kushal Sharma, Division Head and Member of the Extended Board of Management at Messe Frankfurt India.
During the event, Rupesh Kohli, Executive Director at RDSO, gave a Research Insight Address, discussing RDSO’s research priorities and their impact. He shared insights on testing procedures, quality control, and the adoption of new technologies to improve efficiency, speed, and infrastructure in the railway sector.
Rajeev Singh Thakur, IAS, Adviser at NITI Aayog, delivered the Policy Framework Address, where he outlined key policy initiatives and reforms aimed at transforming Indian Railways. He focused on how these policies would attract investment, promote new technologies, and facilitate the transition to a more sustainable railway system.
Dr Jaideep Gupta, Additional Member for Railway Electrification at the Railway Board, delivered the Leadership Keynote Address. He spoke about the progress of electrification in Indian Railways, innovations in electrification technologies, and the role of electrification in decarbonizing rail transport. His address also covered the policy framework driving electrification initiatives and the pursuit of sustainability goals.
Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd., expressed his enthusiasm for the conference, noting, “It’s encouraging to see that Rail India Conference offers a robust platform to discuss the future of Indian Railways, which is one of India’s largest employers. With the global shift toward sustainability, Indian Railways is set to achieve full electrification, marking a significant milestone on India’s sustainability roadmap.”
The conference featured engaging discussions, presentations, and deliberations on a wide range of topics, including station redevelopment, high-speed corridors, the use of solar, wind, and green technologies for railways, and advancements in security and surveillance practices for accident prevention. Other key areas included shaping the future of rail travel in India, digital infrastructure, scaling up sustainability efforts, and integrating smart urban mobility solutions. The event received support from Indian Railways and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, further solidifying its importance in the ongoing modernization journey of the nation’s railway system.
