The Indian Railways has announced an initiative named ”Startups for Railways,” to enhance operational efficiency and safety across the railway network. The Ministry of Railways launched this program in June 2022 to consolidate innovative solutions into railway operations and services.
Startups for Railway’s Agenda
The motive behind the initiative is to tap the potential of Indian startups, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, individual innovators, R&D organizations, NGOs, and institutions. A total of 1,942 entities have enrolled themselves at the Indian Railways Innovation Portal till July 2024.
Indian Railways sanction Rs 10.52 crore grants to entities
Around 423 proposals have been received on the Innovation Portal addressing 28 problem statements till now. Out of these proposals, 23 innovation projects have been awarded, 15 of them are problem statements. The Indian Railways has provided grants of around Rs 10.52 crores to competent entities. The total value of the project which has been awarded is estimated to be Rs 43.87 crores.
List of the projects that are awarded
The awarded projects include- a rail stress monitoring system, lightweight wagons for the transportation of goods, the latest technologies for monitoring the track, technology for identifying broken rail systems, and upgradation of elastomeric pads for heavy freight wagons, and equipment for tracking cleaning machines. Moreover, other projects deal with audio-visual alarms, load-counting devices that are sensor-based, smoke or fire detection systems, and wireless networking of Indian Railway coaches.
To create awareness about the innovation policy drive the Ministry of Railways has organized several workshops, virtual conferences, meetings, and talks. This has led to more participation from the group of innovators as well as from the startup and stakeholders.
(With ANI inupts)