Indian Railways promotes innovation with "Startups for Railways" initiative

New Delhi [India], July 15 : As part of the "Startups for Railways" initiative, which aims to enhance the operational efficiency and safety of the rail network, the Indian Railways Innovation Portal is now live for the public of India.
In a significant step towards improving railway operations and services through innovation, the Ministry of Railways launched the "Startups for Railways" initiative on June 13, 2022.
The programme aims to leverage the expertise of Indian startups, MSMEs, individual innovators, R&D organisations and institutions, NGOs, and entrepreneurs to enhance operational efficiency and safety in the railway network.
As of July 2024, a total of 1,942 entities involved in innovation have registered on the Indian Railways Innovation Portal. These include startups, individual innovators, MSMEs, R&D organisations, and more.
The Ministry of Railways has also meticulously organised workshops, meetings, talks and VCs to spread awareness among various stakeholders of the innovation policy, resulting in good participation from startups and innovators.
The Ministry has received a total of 423 proposals for 28 problem statements opened on the Innovation Portal so far. A total of 23 innovation projects have been awarded for 15 problem statements.
The total value of the 23 awarded innovation projects is approximately Rs 43.87 crores, with the railway's grant portion being around Rs 10.52 crores to eligible entities.
The problem statements for which projects have already been awarded include the design of better elastomeric pads for heavy freight wagons, lightweight wagons for transporting goods like salt, rail stress monitoring systems, track inspection technologies for precise inspection, broken rail systems, and track cleaning machines.
It also includes the development of sensor-based load counting devices with audio-visual alarms in power cars, simplified OHE cantilever design, quick point locking clamps/systems, and the development of sensor-based fire/smoke detection systems with wireless networking for Indian Railways coaches.
The awarded project's problem statement also includes e-seal systems for securing goods booked on Indian Railways, the development of technological solutions to avoid unsafe conditions during shunting due to poor visibility and communication loss, warning systems for loco pilots and guards, the provision of solar power generation systems with flexi solar PV panels on the roofs of LHB coaches and development of sensor-based fire and smoke detection systems with wireless networking for Indian Railways coaches in Phase-II.
Innovations in the above problem statements will not only improve railway operations but also enhance safety and facilities.