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Transforming Urban Mobility
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Transforming Urban Mobility

The 3rd Annual Metro Rail Conference, held on 22 January 2025 at Radisson Blu, Mumbai, gathered over 150 industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. The event highlighted achievements, innovations, and challenges within the metro rail sector. Sessions focused on Metro Rail Expansion in India,...

The 3rd Annual Metro Rail Conference, held on 22 January 2025 at Radisson Blu, Mumbai, gathered over 150 industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. The event highlighted achievements, innovations, and challenges within the metro rail sector. Sessions focused on Metro Rail Expansion in India, technological advancements, public-private partnerships, and the economic and environmental impact of metro systems.The conference’s agenda was packed with engaging panel discussions, case studies, and expert insights on urban planning, digital transformation, financing, sustainability, and innovations in the metro rail space. It reaffirmed its role as a key event shaping the future of urban mobility in India.Pratap Padode, Founder & President, FIRST Construction Council & Editor- In- Chief, Construction World, opened the conference by noting, “Metro systems have transformed travel in India. Covering over 1,000 km across 11 states and 23 cities, these networks support millions, contributing to India becoming home to the third-largest metro system globally.”Transforming the Metro ExperienceSession I explored the integration of metros with Smart Cities and urban transport networks, focusing on last-mile connectivity solutions such as Namo Bharat (RRTS) and the introduction of MetroLite and MetroNeo systems for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Moderated by Vishal Ramprasad, Senior Program Manager at WRI India, it featured insights from industry leaders like Shantanu Goel (Joint MD, CIDCO), Vinod Kumar Yadav (NCC Transport), Dr. M.P. Ramnavas (Director, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd.), and Alok Sharma (Director, Autodesk).Driving Digital Transformation in Metro RailSession II delved into the adoption of AI, automation, and IoT for metro operations, exploring challenges in automated signalling, smart ticketing, and digital fare collection. The session highlighted the success of Delhi Metro’s Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) system. Moderated by Nilabha Dey, Director at KPMG, the session featured experts such as MJS Raman (IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation), PK Pandey (RDSO), and Anuj Goel (Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd.).Unlocking the Future of Metro FinancingSession III focused on innovative funding solutions for metro projects, including PPP models, land value capture, and attracting international investors. The discussion also examined financing strategies for metro systems in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Moderated by Suneet K Maheshwari (Udvik Infrastructure Advisors LLP), the session featured insights from AVR Srinivas Sharma (CFO, L&T Metro Rail), Anand B Surange (Director, Infrastructure Advisors Pvt Ltd), Arnab Choudhury (Executive Vice President & Group Head DCM, SBI Capital Markets) and Sandeep U (CEO, Centrum Capital).Pioneering Green Metro InnovationsSession IV addressed sustainability in metro rail development, covering topics such as driverless metro technologies, energy-efficient traction systems, and BIM for cost and time optimisation. Key experts included Suyash Trivedi (Executive Director, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.), Bhargav Jog (Dextra India), and Umesh Rajeshirke (Managing Director, Spectrum Consultants India).The conference brought together industry leaders to explore the evolving landscape of metro rail systems in India, with a focus on technological advancements, sustainable financing, and operational efficiency. Dr. Shankar Raman of IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation highlighted the transformative role of automation and data-driven decisions in metro operations. A key case study on Mumbai Metro Line 1, presented by Shyamantak Choudhury (CEO, Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd.), showcased its sustainability and operational viability. Additionally, Parag Raut (Tata Steel Ltd.) discussed Modern Reinforcement Solutions, while R. Ananta Kumar (Director BU Head, AFCONS Infrastructure Ltd.) presented innovative methods for easier and faster construction in metro projects.In conclusion, the conference provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in metro rail development, underscoring the importance of collaboration, technological innovation, and sustainable practices for the future of urban mobility in India.

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Technology

Minda, Qualcomm Join Forces for Smart Auto Cockpit Tech

Minda Corporation Limited, the flagship of the Spark Minda Group, has announced a strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to develop intelligent and connected cockpit solutions for the Indian automotive market. The upcoming smart interface will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platform.Commenting on the collaboration, Suresh D, Group CTO of Minda Corporation, said, “This partnership with Qualcomm Technologies marks a major milestone in advancing Minda’s digital cockpit capabilities. By utilising Qualcomm’s cutting-edge automotive platforms, we can now offer se..

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Infrastructure Transport

Railways Spent Rs 604.7 Billion on Passenger Subsidy in FY24

New Delhi – The Indian Railways provisionally spent Rs 604.7 billion in subsidies during the financial year 2023–24, covering 45 per cent of passenger travel costs, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.In a written response to questions from multiple Members of Parliament regarding the recent rail fare hike, Vaishnaw stated that the Indian Railways continues to offer one of the most affordable transport services globally, ferrying over 7.2 billion passengers annually."The total amount of subsidy provided in FY 2023–24 on passenger travel is provisionally ..

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Infrastructure Urban

Auto Sector Can Cut Emissions by 87% by 2050: CEEW

India’s automobile industry could reduce its manufacturing emissions by 87 per cent by 2050 through a shift to green electricity and low-carbon steel, according to a study released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).The report estimates that if original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers target net-zero emissions by 2050, annual emissions could fall from a projected 64 million tonnes of CO₂ (under the business-as-usual scenario) to just 9 million tonnes. This would require OEMs to adopt 100 per cent green electricity and steel suppliers to source 56 per ..

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