Rail India Conference lays out green roadmap for railway transformation

03 Jun 2025 CW Team

Abhay Bakre, Mission Director, National Green Hydrogen Mission, highlighted the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonising railways. While the sector currently contributes 25–30 million tonnes to India's carbon emissions, projections for 2030 peg this at 45 million tonnes. Railways, he said, could enable a green supply chain for hydrogen and ammonia, aided by policy and infrastructure upgrades.

Madhya Pradesh’s Additional Chief Secretary, Manu Srivastava, showcased the state’s low-cost solar power model, with electricity provided at Rs 2.15 per unit. He cited the Rewa solar project and its supply to Delhi Metro and the ongoing 1,500 MW solar development, one-fourth of which supports railways across nine states.

Indian Railways is also exploring nuclear energy, said Dr Jaideep Gupta of the Ministry of Railways. Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated in Budget 2025 for compact nuclear power plants. Solar and wind will continue to play a key role in the energy mix.

NITI Aayog’s Rajeev Singh Thakur highlighted Gati Shakti’s role in unifying eight ministries, speeding up approvals, and reducing project delays and costs.

RDSO’s Executive Director Rupesh Kohli outlined key milestones: over 96 per cent of broad-gauge lines are electrified, 3,000 km of dedicated freight corridors are nearing completion, and trials for hydrogen-powered trains are on the horizon. Other advances include 1,300 upgraded stations, dual-use cargo liners, and deployment of Kavach across 44,000 km.

Speakers from Nevomo, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Northern Railways, and Alstom India discussed retrofitted maglev propulsion, AI-driven logistics, and waste management. The conference underlined Indian Railways’ role in economic growth and reaffirmed stakeholder commitment to a sustainable, tech-enabled future.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

The 8th Rail India Conference & Expo concluded in New Delhi with a forward-looking agenda focused on green energy, efficiency, and modernisation of India’s railway network. The two-day event convened top voices from the government, railways, academia and private sector to deliberate on sustainability, infrastructure and innovation. Abhay Bakre, Mission Director, National Green Hydrogen Mission, highlighted the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonising railways. While the sector currently contributes 25–30 million tonnes to India's carbon emissions, projections for 2030 peg this at 45 million tonnes. Railways, he said, could enable a green supply chain for hydrogen and ammonia, aided by policy and infrastructure upgrades. Madhya Pradesh’s Additional Chief Secretary, Manu Srivastava, showcased the state’s low-cost solar power model, with electricity provided at Rs 2.15 per unit. He cited the Rewa solar project and its supply to Delhi Metro and the ongoing 1,500 MW solar development, one-fourth of which supports railways across nine states. Indian Railways is also exploring nuclear energy, said Dr Jaideep Gupta of the Ministry of Railways. Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated in Budget 2025 for compact nuclear power plants. Solar and wind will continue to play a key role in the energy mix. NITI Aayog’s Rajeev Singh Thakur highlighted Gati Shakti’s role in unifying eight ministries, speeding up approvals, and reducing project delays and costs. RDSO’s Executive Director Rupesh Kohli outlined key milestones: over 96 per cent of broad-gauge lines are electrified, 3,000 km of dedicated freight corridors are nearing completion, and trials for hydrogen-powered trains are on the horizon. Other advances include 1,300 upgraded stations, dual-use cargo liners, and deployment of Kavach across 44,000 km. Speakers from Nevomo, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Northern Railways, and Alstom India discussed retrofitted maglev propulsion, AI-driven logistics, and waste management. The conference underlined Indian Railways’ role in economic growth and reaffirmed stakeholder commitment to a sustainable, tech-enabled future.

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

Maruti Suzuki Opens Kharkhoda Plant With Rs 350 bn Investment

Maruti Suzuki has inaugurated its fourth manufacturing complex at Kharkhoda in Haryana with a Rs 350 billion (bn) investment, the company said. The fully developed complex spreads across nearly 800 acres and includes an integrated supplier park aimed at strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem and improving operational efficiency. The project was opened during the visit by the prime ministers of India and Japan, an event the company described as reinforcing bilateral strategic and economic cooperation. At present two manufacturing units at Kharkhoda are operational with a combined installed p..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

JSW Steel Starts Construction Of Rs 163.5 bn Rayalaseema Plant

JSW Steel has begun development activity for an integrated steel plant in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, announcing a planned investment of Rs 163,500 million (Rs 163.5 bn). The facility will be developed by JSW Rayalaseema Steel Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Steel, and aims to support long-term manufacturing growth in the state. The company framed the project as one of the largest industrial investments in the region. In the first phase the company will invest Rs 45,000 million (Rs 45 bn) to establish a one million (mn) tonne (t) per annum integrated steel plant producing l..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

Tata Steel Seeks Dutch Support For IJmuiden Transition Project

Tata Steel is engaged in discussions with the Dutch government to finalise a transition plan for its Netherlands operations as the company seeks to meet tightened emission norms, the chairman N Chandrasekaran said at the company’s 119th Annual General Meeting. The talks form part of a broader effort to reconcile regulatory requirements with the commercial and technical realities at the plant. The company operates a steel manufacturing plant at IJmuiden with an annual installed capacity of seven million tonne (mn t) and has adopted a transformation programme to maximise production efficiencie..