Source: https://news.railanalysis.com/the-railways-decade-working-cohesively-for-a-sustainable-future/

Publisher: Rail Analysis India

ndian Railways, the nation’s key economic driver, has embarked on a journey to extensively upgrade its infrastructure and services to meet future demands

Serving as the backbone in India’s journey to a global superpower, Indian Railways – the world’s fourth largest railway network – has emerged as the country’s engine of socio-economic growth as well as a key contributor to nation building. The country’s expanding railway network is tipped to grow 400% by 2030 – while the rail-passenger travel in India is likely to grow from the current 1,098 billion km/day to 5,765 billion km/day, the freight output is expected to grow from the current 692 billion NTKM to 6,559 billion NTKM – and there is a simultaneous thrust to modernize the railways for a sustainable future.

Towards this, the National Rail Plan has been conceived with a vision to develop capacity and infrastructure ahead of demand. The aim is to build a future-ready railway system by 2030 that will cater to growing demand up to 2050. Under the plan, besides upgrading the rolling stock, there is a simultaneous thrust on harnessing technology to bring in a new era of mobility. The systemic renewal would translate into enhanced speed, augmented safety, optimisation of timetables and an improved operation ratio, yielding the double dividend of reduced logistics cost as well as reduced emissions.

Future focused

The systemic renewal of the railway infrastructure and services would translate into enhanced speed, augmented safety, optimisation of timetables and an improved operation ratio. This would enable the smooth and comfortable transportation of passengers as well as lead to increased efficiency in the movement of goods across the country. Initiatives like electrification of the routes, creation of dedicated freight corridors, modernising the rolling stock, installation of hi-tech signalling systems and deployment of cutting-edge technologies aim to notably improve operational efficiency as well as achieve economic and sustainability goals.

Achieving the twin objectives of implementing the National Rail Plan as well as augmenting the country’s manufacturing prowess under the Make-In-India programme, the Government is partnering with the private sector to fulfil its vision. Committed to the Government’s Make-In-India vision, technology partners like Siemens are bringing cutting-edge technology and expertise in development of new rolling stock as well as upgrading the railway infrastructure. Aligned with the Government’s goals, private players like Siemens are bringing speed, scale and skill to augment local capabilities and bolster the country’s manufacturing strength. Bringing its global competency in mechanical, electrical and software domains for the railways, the private sector is making the railways future-ready through high pace indigenisation and knowledge transfer. With the Made-in-India rolling stock meeting the highest global standards in terms of technology, performance and sustainability, there is good potential to export to other international markets and make India a truly global manufacturing hub.

Sustainability a priority

Trains are not just the safest way to transport freight, but also the most energy-efficient mode of transportation. With railways generating up to 80% less CO2 and consuming 75-90% less energy for freight traffic vis-à-vis road transportation, it offers a sustainable, climate-friendly solution. Transporting goods by train provides benefits beyond fuel efficiency and sustainability, reducing supply chain costs and allowing Indian businesses to be more competitive in the global market. The Railways have set a target to become the world’s first net-zero emitter by 2030. While the immediate goal is to achieve net-zero status with 100% electrification of the system, the long-term target is to cut carbon emissions by more than 450 million tonnes over 30 years of operation of Dedicated Freight Corridors.

Driving this ambitious climate goal will be a new generation of state-of-art, highly efficient and eco- friendly locomotives and rolling stock that will combine environmental protection with extreme cost-effectiveness using green technologies to set new standards in goods transportation. With initiatives like 100% electrification, deployment of sustainable technologies and adoption of sustainable practices, the Railways will be key contributors to the country’s net-zero transition. Driving this climate goal journey, will be the new generation of state-of-art, highly efficient and eco- friendly locomotives that will combine environmental protection with extreme cost-effectiveness using green technologies to set new standards in freight transport.

#Indiaonthemove

An upgraded and sustainable railway system will be a key contributor to the Government’s climate goals and the country’s net-zero transition, while playing a vital role in enabling the National Logistics Policy 2030. Besides stepping up the average speed remarkably from the current 22kmph to 50kmph to cut transit time, the national transporter also aims to reduce the overall cost of rail transportation by nearly 30%. The eventual aim is to reduce the logistics cost from the current 14% of the GDP to less than 10% while aligning the climate goals with the policy. The Railways will have an integral and impactful role to play in India’s transformative journey, and the partnership between Indian Railways and private players like Siemens will be the engine of this transformative journey.