Avantel Limited has been awarded a rate contract valued at Rs4,599 mn excluding taxes by Zetwerk, Bengaluru, for the supply and annual maintenance of Real-Time Train Information System (RTIS) devices for the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), Indian Railways. RTIS is a project developed by Indian Railways in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation to automatically track train locations, speeds and arrival and departure times using satellite technology. The contract is part of a broader effort to modernise tracking and communication across the national locomotive fleet. The order covers the supply and an annual maintenance contract for a total of 12,000 RTIS devices to be delivered and supported over a period of three years. The system will enable continuous position reporting and speed monitoring and is intended to improve punctuality, operational efficiency and situational awareness across train operations. The devices and support services will be provided to CRIS which designs, develops and maintains critical information systems for Indian Railways. Avantel indicated that the contract will support real-time tracking and improve the efficiency of railway operations, and the company expressed pride in contributing to smarter and more connected infrastructure. The company noted that the engagement reinforces its role in delivering reliable communication solutions for critical national networks and will involve both supply and lifecycle support for the installed units. The announcement emphasised alignment with national initiatives to build indigenous capabilities and strengthen self reliance in communication and technology infrastructure. Avantel Limited specialises in designing, developing and maintaining communication products, radar subsystems and network management software applications primarily for the aerospace and defence sectors. The firm has expertise in satellite communications, radar technologies, software defined radios and defence electronics. The company reiterated its commitment to Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat through participation in projects that advance domestic manufacturing and technical skill. Avantel was founded by Dr Vidyasagar Abburi and has been supplying strategic communication solutions for more than three decades.