News Analysis India

Tag: Ashwini Vaishnaw

  • Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches India’s Fastest And Indigenously Designed Router In Bengaluru |

    New Delhi: In a significant stride towards technological independence and innovation, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and Information Technology and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw launched India’s fastest and indigenously designed IP/MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) router in Bengaluru on Saturday.

    MPLS is a routing technique in telecommunications networks that directs data from one node to the next, based on labels rather than network addresses. The project is spearheaded by the collaboration of the government’s Department of Telecom, CDOT and Nivetti. It marks a momentous achievement in the nation’s journey towards becoming a major product and manufacturing hub in the global tech landscape. (Also Read: Elon Musk Announces X Streaming Service For Long Videos On Smart TVs, Competing With YouTube)

    Vaishnaw said, “It is matter of pride for us that indigenously developed and made in India router, a secure router, a core routers of capacity 2.4 tbps has been developed and launched today. This is a core router, which is secure and which can actually provide very important functions in our entire Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India.” (Also Read: Sam Altman Finally Returns To OpenAI Board)

    “As you know, networking is key to entire Digital India efforts. And within networking routers, a core router like this is very, very important. So, I’m so glad that this kind of complex equipment has been designed in India developed in India and made in India,” the minister said.

    The minister further said, “Over the past decade, India has laid down the foundational stones of technological advancement and innovation, setting the stage for significant development in the coming years.

    The launch of the 2.4 terabits per second (tbps) router is seen not only as a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in the tech domain but also as a pivotal moment that aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for digital India – a vision that emphasizes scaling up technological developments and fostering an environment ripe for manufacturing and innovation.”

    “And the coming five years will be the journey when lots of these foundations will see totally new structures built up them for the country, for the people and for technology,” the Minister added.

    Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the transformative shift in manufacturing paradigms, from traditional mechanical processes to ones deeply intertwined with software, innovation, and intellectual prowess.

    He said, “We are a good service nation and will continue to be that. We will continue to grow on the services. In parallel, we make our efforts to become a product nation and a manufacturing nation. That’s the focus that’s why I’ve come here today. I will also be going to Applied Materials where the equipments which go into manufacturing semiconductors, they will be manufactured and designed in India.”

    He further said, “Today, manufacturing is no longer the old manufacturing where it was practically a mechanical kind of activity, where you go to fix cut things in a particular size. Today’s manufacturing is a manufacturing where there is lots and lots of software in it, lots and lots of innovation in it, lots and lots of combination of brain power in the hardware which is today’s manufacturing.”

    “Having a very strong base of software and having very significantly large design capabilities make us absolutely at a takeoff point where we can become a major product nation in the world,” Minister said.

    It is pertinent to note that the Nivetti router, capable of handling 2.4 tbps data, represents a leap in networking technology, promising to bolster India’s digital infrastructure and support the ever-growing demand for high-speed data processing and transmission.

    This achievement is a direct result of the government’s concerted efforts to create an enabling environment for innovators through policy measures, financial incentives, and a regulatory framework designed to eliminate obstacles and encourage development.

    Reflecting on the global tradition of nurturing innovation through supportive policies, Minister Vaishnaw reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing market opportunities, boosting exports, and streamlining regulations to aid innovators.

    The initiatives introduced under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, including design-linked innovation, production-linked incentives (PLI) and a variety of startup-friendly schemes, are set to be scaled up significantly, aiming at propelling India to the forefront of global innovation and product development. 

  • Google Agrees To Reinstate Delisted Indian Apps On Play Store After Govt Intervention |

    New Delhi: Google has agreed to reinstate all the delisted apps of Indian companies on its Play Store after government intervention facilitated dialogue to resolve a dispute over service fee payments.

    Telecom and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who brought Google and the startups to the negotiating table, stated that the US tech giant has been supporting India’s technology development journey.

    “Google and the startup community have met with us, and we have had very constructive discussions… Google has agreed to list all the apps,” he said. On Friday, Google removed apps from a dozen developers, including popular ones by Matrimony.Com and the job search app Naukri, for non-compliance with its in-app payment guidelines.

    As the government strongly objected to the removal, calling it unacceptable, Google began restoring some apps on Saturday, provided they agreed to comply with its guideline to pay a fee of 11-25 percent on in-app payments or conduct financial transactions outside of the app. (Also Read: Lava Blaze Curve 5G With Curved Display Launched In India At Rs 17,999; Check Price, Specs)

    Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Information and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar held multiple rounds of discussions with Google and the app owners on Monday in an attempt to find a solution to the crisis, which some labeled as a dark day for the internet.

    On Tuesday, Vaishnaw announced that Google has agreed to restore the status from Friday morning, i.e., pre-delisting. “We believe Google and the startup community will be able to come to a long-term solution in the coming months,” he said, indicating that the two sides will now sit down and resolve the issue of the levy of service charges.

    India is the world’s largest consumer internet market for tech giants like Meta and Google. With the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government effectively using its geopolitical clout, they cannot afford to ignore the Indian market or act aggressively towards it.

    A day after Google delisted the apps, Vaishnaw revealed the government’s stance in an interview with PTI when he said the removal was unacceptable and that “startups will get the protection they need.”

    The government subsequently called for a meeting on Monday to resolve the issue. At the heart of the problem is Google’s in-app fee. While Google claims the fees help develop and promote the Android and Play Store ecosystem, startups argue that the tech giant is forcing them to use its payment system and pay a fee, failing which they are being offloaded by the Play Store. (Also Read: Apple Launches Refreshed MacBook Air Models With M3 Chipset In India; Check Price, Features)

    The Competition Commission of India had previously ordered Google not to mandatorily enforce an earlier system of charging 15-30 percent. Google then imposed a fee of 11-26 percent on in-app payments. It removed the apps that weren’t paying the fee after the Supreme Court did not provide interim relief to the companies behind these apps in their battle against the search giant’s platform fees.

    While removing the apps, Google stated on Friday that some Indian companies had chosen not to pay for the “immense value they receive on Google Play.”Among the worst affected by the removals is Matrimony.Com, which has seen more than 140 of its apps being dropped from the Play Store. Other removed apps included Balaji Telefilms’ Altt (formerly ALTBalaji), audio platform Kuku FM, dating service Quack Quack, and Truly Madly.

    Info Edge saw its job search app Naukri and real estate search app 99acres removed, but they were back the next day when it moved to Google’s consumption model, where any payment made is conducted outside of the app.

    Google had briefly removed the popular payments app Paytm from its Play Store in 2020, citing policy violations. This led to widespread industry outcry, with startups joining hands to mount legal challenges against the tech giant. They even joined forces to launch their own app store.

  • Ashwini Vaishnaw’s BIG Statement On Google-Indian Startups Row, Says… |

    New Delhi: Taking a strong view of Google pulling out some apps from its Play Store, the government on Saturday said delisting of Indian apps cannot be permitted and that the tech company and the startups concerned have been called for a meeting next week. In an interview to PTI, IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the startup ecosystem is key to the Indian economy and their fate cannot be left to any big tech to decide.

    The minister’s comments assume significance as Google on Friday began removing some apps, including popular matrimony apps, from its Play Store in India over a dispute on service fee payments, even as apps and well-known startup founders cried foul. (Also Read: Google Responds To Criticism By Reinstating Shaadi.com, Naukri, And Other Apps On Play Store)

    Taking a serious view of the issue, Vaishnaw said: “India is very clear, our policy is very clear…our startups will get the protection that they need.” The minister said the government will be meeting Google and app developers who have been delisted, next week, to resolve the dispute. (Also Read: Google Faces Backlash For Removing Indian Apps From Play Store Amid Fee Dispute)

    “I have already called Google…I have already called the app developers who have been delisted, we will be meeting them next week. This cannot be permitted..This kind of delisting cannot be permitted,” Vaishnaw asserted.

    Stating that India has built a strong startup ecosystem of over one lakh startups, and more than 100 unicorns from scratch in a matter of 10 years, the minister said the energy of youth and entrepreneurs must be channelised fully and “cannot be left to the policies of any big tech.”

    “I will be telling Google…Our entrepreneurial energy…startups, look at the whole startup India programme, 10 years back we had practically nothing and today we have more than 1,00,000 startups, more than 100 unicorns…this is something…the energy of our youth, the energy of our entrepreneurs, energy of our talented people that has to be channelised fully well, it cannot be left to the policies of any big tech,” Vaishnaw said.

    On Friday, Google said 10 companies in the country, including “many well-established” ones had avoided paying fees despite benefiting from the platform and Play Store, and proceeded to delist some apps.

    It did not name the firms but a search of Play Store on android phones did not give results for matrimonial apps such as Shaadi, Matrimony.com and Bharat Matrimony. Balaji Telefilms’ Altt (formerly ALTBalaji), audio platform Kuku FM, dating service Quack Quack, Truly Madly also disappeared from Play Store.

    Separately , Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said he has been flagging the concerns around dominance of Google stifling competition and startups. The government, he said, has to find if the current issue “trespasses” into the “abuse and misuse” of dominance category.

    “I have raised concerns on the dominance of Google in the past, it controls more than 90 per cent of the app ecosystem in India, the fact that they are a vertically integrated large company, we are concerned that their dominance does stifle competitions and startups, and it can be misused against startups, and there are some legitimate concerns that the government has,” Chandrasekhar said.

    The government and court has to look whether this particular incident trespasses into that territory of abuse and misuse, he added. The raging dispute is over Google imposing a fee of 11 to 26 per cent on in-app payments after anti-competition body CCI ordered scrapping of an earlier system of charging 15 to 30 per cent.

    Google went ahead to remove the apps not paying the fee after the Supreme Court did not provide interim relief to companies behind these apps in their battle against the search giant’s app marketplace fee.

    While Bharat Matrimony founder Murugavel Janakiraman described the move as “dark day” for the Internet in India, Kuku FM Co-founder Vinod Kumar Meena in a statement had said that Google was behaving like a ‘monopoly’.

    Quack Quack Founder Ravi Mittal said the company would comply with rules to get back on the marketplace. Google previously sent notices of Play Store violations to Matrimony.com, which runs app BharatMatrimony, and Info Edge, which runs a similar app, Jeevansathi.

    Info Edge (India) Ltd on Saturday said its apps, including naukri.com, 99 acres.com, and shiksha.com have been removed from Google Play Store but within hours stated that some of them have been restored.

    “Many of the Info Edge apps are back on the play store. An effort very well led by (company MD and CEO) Hitesh and the entire Info Edge team. People were up all night for this. Great crisis management,” Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani said in a post on X.

    On Friday, Bikhchandani had emphasised on the need of an app store/ play store that is a part of Digital Public Infrastructure. “Indian companies will comply – for now. But what India needs is an App Store/ Play Store that is a part of Digital Public Infrastructure – like UPI and ONDC. The response needs to be strategic,” he had said.

    Bikhchandani had claimed that Info Edge had cleared all pending Google invoices in a timely manner and was compliant with its policies. IAMAI – an industry association that represents some of the largest Indian startups as well as international firms – condemned the removal of apps and had urged Google to reinstate delisted apps.

  • Lok Sabha Clears Telecom Bill 2023; Biometrics Made Mandatory For SIM Purchase |

    In a development that the Central government termed as structural reforms, The Telecommunications Bill, 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha by voice vote giving the government major powers during an emergency. The bill provides for stringent provisions to stop the misuse of SIM cards and mobile numbers. The Telecommunications Bill, 2023 makes it mandatory for companies to issue SIMs only after capturing the biometric data of the user. It also has a provision for a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh for a person obtaining SIM or other telecom resource through fraud, cheating, or personation.

    The bill allows the government to temporarily take control of telecom services in the interest of national security. It also enables the government to take a non-auction route for the allocation of satellite spectrum. It also allows the Centre to take possession of a telecom network in case of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety. Vaishnaw said that the bill would repeal two laws, including the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

    The bill was passed as only numbered opposition members were present in the house due to the suspension of 97 opposition MPs. Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tabled the bill in the house that also provides for stopping transmission and intercepting messages in case of public emergency. This means, the Central government can read your messages if found suspicious in emergency situations.

    The bill includes safeguards for telecom infrastructure and strengthens provisions to ensure the smooth implementation of networks, particularly optical fibre cables. Additionally, the government has suggested exempting telecom networks installed on any property from potential claims, encumbrances, liquidation, or similar issues associated with that property. Furthermore, the bill outlines the potential termination of spectrum assignment if the government finds that the allocated spectrum has remained unused without valid reasons.

    “On the occurrence of any public emergency, including disaster management, or in the interest of public safety, the central government or a state government or any officer specially authorised on this behalf by the central government or a state government, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, by notification—take temporary possession of any telecommunication service or telecommunication network from an authorised entity,” the bill said.

    The bill provides exceptions for press messages of correspondents unless their transmission has been prohibited under rules applicable to public emergency, public order etc. Vaishnaw said that the bill provides for the allocation of spectrum to satellite communications companies through the administrative method.

    As per the bill, “the central government shall assign spectrum for telecommunication through auction except for entries listed in the First Schedule for which assignment shall be done by administrative process.” The first schedule has 19 cases for which spectrum will be assigned through the administrative process including global mobile personal communication by satellites, national long-distance and international long-distance services, mobile satellite services, VSAT, In-Flight and maritime connectivity, BSNL and MTNL.

    Once the bill is approved by Parliament, the companies will require authorisation to start providing telecom services instead of licences that are issued at present.

  • 312 track maintenance Railways staff died on duty in last four years

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Over 300 Railway Track Maintenance (RTM) personnel have lost their lives on duty after being by trains in the last four years over the Indian Railways. The highest number of RTM staff had died on duty from different railway sections in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022.

    The Railways informed the Rajya Sabha (RS) that a total of 312 track maintenance staff had died in the last four years on duty in different parts of the country.

    Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday in a written reply said that ex-gratia compensations were paid to the families of Railway track maintenance staff who lost their lives while performing bonafide official duties after being hit by trains.

    “We are conducting regular counselling of track maintenance staff for ‘personal safety first’ while working near the tracks. They have also been equipped with protective equipment, safety helmets, and retro-reflective high visibility jackets for duty”, the minister informed the House, adding that work site remote control hooters and whistles were provided to track maintenance staff.

    The minister also said that periodic medical examination is regularly being conducted to ascertain the fitness of track personnel.

    The most notable information the minister gave in the Upper House was that the government has sanctioned the very high frequency-based ‘Approaching Train Warning System’, which is also called ‘Rakshak’, on the Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal routes on Indian Railway. “For this system, Rs 91.21 crores have been sanctioned”, the minister added.

    According to data shared by the minister in the RS, 61 track maintenance personnel lost their lives after having been hit by trains during duty in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022. 48 track maintenance personnel died in Maharashtra during duty in the same period.

    On duty deaths of railways staff between 2018 and Dec 5, 2022
    STATES
    NO. OF DEATHS
    UP
    61
    Maharashtra
    48
    West Bengal
    35
    Andhra Pradesh
    33
    Bihar
    29
    Rajasthan
    27
    Madhya Pradesh
    26
    Jharkhand
    17
    Chhattisgarh
    14
    Haryana
    13
    Gujarat
    12

    NEW DELHI: Over 300 Railway Track Maintenance (RTM) personnel have lost their lives on duty after being by trains in the last four years over the Indian Railways. The highest number of RTM staff had died on duty from different railway sections in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022.

    The Railways informed the Rajya Sabha (RS) that a total of 312 track maintenance staff had died in the last four years on duty in different parts of the country.

    Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday in a written reply said that ex-gratia compensations were paid to the families of Railway track maintenance staff who lost their lives while performing bonafide official duties after being hit by trains.

    “We are conducting regular counselling of track maintenance staff for ‘personal safety first’ while working near the tracks. They have also been equipped with protective equipment, safety helmets, and retro-reflective high visibility jackets for duty”, the minister informed the House, adding that work site remote control hooters and whistles were provided to track maintenance staff.

    The minister also said that periodic medical examination is regularly being conducted to ascertain the fitness of track personnel.

    The most notable information the minister gave in the Upper House was that the government has sanctioned the very high frequency-based ‘Approaching Train Warning System’, which is also called ‘Rakshak’, on the Golden Quadrilateral-Golden Diagonal routes on Indian Railway. “For this system, Rs 91.21 crores have been sanctioned”, the minister added.

    According to data shared by the minister in the RS, 61 track maintenance personnel lost their lives after having been hit by trains during duty in Uttar Pradesh from 2018 to December 5 in 2022. 48 track maintenance personnel died in Maharashtra during duty in the same period.

    On duty deaths of railways staff between 2018 and Dec 5, 2022
    STATES
    NO. OF DEATHS
    UP
    61
    Maharashtra
    48
    West Bengal
    35
    Andhra Pradesh
    33
    Bihar
    29
    Rajasthan
    27
    Madhya Pradesh
    26
    Jharkhand
    17
    Chhattisgarh
    14
    Haryana
    13
    Gujarat
    12

  • Railway going on with innovation drive!

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

  • Indian Railways going on with innovation drive

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

    NEW DELHI: Along with rendering both freight and passenger services, the Indian Railways (IR) has started fostering innovations within its realm of services with an objective to leverage innovative technologies developed by Indian  Start-Ups, MSMEs, innovators or entrepreneurs towards making the country self-reliant in sector of rail transportation.

    The Railways has embarked upon innovation journey through a well-thought initiative called ‘Start-ups for Railway’ (SFR). Gone with such first of its kind initiative with effect from June 13 this year, the railway has registered more than 768 entities on Indian Railway Innovation portal to participate in innovation challenges floated by railways.

    Recently, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had told this newspaper that supporting and going with innovative start up, has been taken by railways seriously in order to become not only self-reliant but also creating job opportunities to the nation. As part of this initiative, the fund-sharing scheme has been made on a cost-sharing in equal proportion–50:50 between Indian Railways and the Start-ups or innovators.

    According to official data of the Ministry of Railway, so far, 311 offers for Startups have been received against 13 problem statements uploaded by railways on its innovation portal.

    ALSO READ | Railways to raise revenue by renting out defunct rail coaches for running restaurants

    “This shows how the innovators are flocking towards railways from across various sectors for their Startups”, remarked a senior railway official, adding that all offers are being evaluated through a 2-stage process.

    Notably, the railway working earnestly on a wider promotion of start-ups, has already one innovation challenge has been finalised.

    Giving break up of offers of Startups, the Ministry of Railway said that more than 60 offers from individual innovators, 81 from MSMEs and 18 from  R&D (Research and Design) organization are among a total of 311 offers received by railway.

    To promote this initiative, the railways claims to have organized more than 131 workshops meeting on Indian Railway innovation policy across the railways at all levels in which more than 1,560 start-ups, innovators participated so far.

    ALSO READ | Railways to use 5G-enabled tech to prevent train snags

    Appreciating this initiative of Indian Railways recently, Vinod Dham- who is also known as ‘Father of the Pentium Chip” for his contribution to the development of Pentium microprocessor, at a lecture program said that such initiative by railway will go a long way helping India to become more technology-driven in every part of life. He said that India is among top 3 Start Up countries and has the potential to lead the world.

  • India’s first aluminium rail rake flagged off

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday flagged off the country’s first aluminium-made freight rail rake at Bhubneshwar in Odisha. The Ministry of Railway through a statement said that the first aluminium-made freight rail rake has been made with higher corrosion and abrasion resistance capacity, which will reduce the maintenance cost to the railway.

    After flagging off the rake, Vaishnaw said: “This is a proud moment for the country and our drive for indigenisation as lightweight aluminium wagons are a big innovation for Indian Railways.”Speaking about the features of this aluminium, rail rake, the minister further said that these wagons save 14,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions and have more carrying capacity.

    NEW DELHI:  Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday flagged off the country’s first aluminium-made freight rail rake at Bhubneshwar in Odisha. The Ministry of Railway through a statement said that the first aluminium-made freight rail rake has been made with higher corrosion and abrasion resistance capacity, which will reduce the maintenance cost to the railway.

    After flagging off the rake, Vaishnaw said: “This is a proud moment for the country and our drive for indigenisation as lightweight aluminium wagons are a big innovation for Indian Railways.”
    Speaking about the features of this aluminium, rail rake, the minister further said that these wagons save 14,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions and have more carrying capacity.

  • Next generation Vande Bharat trains will be able to attain maximum speed of 200 kmph: Vaishnaw

    By PTI

    AURANGABAD: The Marathwada Rail Coach Factory at Latur in central Maharashtra will manufacture nearly 1,600 coaches for the upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express trains in the coming years and each of them will cost Rs 8 crore to Rs 9 crore, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

    He said the advanced version of Vande Bharat trains will be able to attain maximum speed of 200 km per hour (kmph).

    Vaishnaw was addressing the ‘Destination Marathwada’ event, organised by the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), in Aurangabad on Monday evening.

    “The next version of Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured in Marathwada. Nearly 1,600 coaches will be manufactured at the facility in Latur. Each coach will cost Rs 8 crore to 9 crore. The project will create opportunities for companies located in radius of 400 km to 500 km,” he added.

    Talking about the next generation of Vande Bharat Express, Vaishnaw said, “The maximum speed of these trains will be 200 kmph as compared to 180 kmph now. First coach of this version will be rolled out in the next 15 to 16 months.”

    On challenges in manufacturing the semi-high-speed trains, the minister said, “We succeeded in bringing down the noise level inside them to 60-65 decibels which is less than an aircraft (85-90 decibels).”

    The speed of laying railway tracks has gone up since 2014, he said. “The speed of laying railway tracks was 4 km per day prior to 2014. This has now reached 12 km per day and the government intends to scale this up to 20 km per day,” Vaishnaw said.

    Aurangabad will get 5G internet facility before March 31, 2023, he said. The Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) will be projected as an investment destination by the railway ministry, Vaishnaw said.

    AURANGABAD: The Marathwada Rail Coach Factory at Latur in central Maharashtra will manufacture nearly 1,600 coaches for the upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express trains in the coming years and each of them will cost Rs 8 crore to Rs 9 crore, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

    He said the advanced version of Vande Bharat trains will be able to attain maximum speed of 200 km per hour (kmph).

    Vaishnaw was addressing the ‘Destination Marathwada’ event, organised by the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), in Aurangabad on Monday evening.

    “The next version of Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured in Marathwada. Nearly 1,600 coaches will be manufactured at the facility in Latur. Each coach will cost Rs 8 crore to 9 crore. The project will create opportunities for companies located in radius of 400 km to 500 km,” he added.

    Talking about the next generation of Vande Bharat Express, Vaishnaw said, “The maximum speed of these trains will be 200 kmph as compared to 180 kmph now. First coach of this version will be rolled out in the next 15 to 16 months.”

    On challenges in manufacturing the semi-high-speed trains, the minister said, “We succeeded in bringing down the noise level inside them to 60-65 decibels which is less than an aircraft (85-90 decibels).”

    The speed of laying railway tracks has gone up since 2014, he said. “The speed of laying railway tracks was 4 km per day prior to 2014. This has now reached 12 km per day and the government intends to scale this up to 20 km per day,” Vaishnaw said.

    Aurangabad will get 5G internet facility before March 31, 2023, he said. The Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) will be projected as an investment destination by the railway ministry, Vaishnaw said.

  • Next generation Vande Bharat trains will be able to attain maximum speed of 200 kmph: Vaishnaw

    By PTI

    AURANGABAD: The Marathwada Rail Coach Factory at Latur in central Maharashtra will manufacture nearly 1,600 coaches for the upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express trains in the coming years and each of them will cost Rs 8 crore to Rs 9 crore, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

    He said the advanced version of Vande Bharat trains will be able to attain maximum speed of 200 km per hour (kmph).

    Vaishnaw was addressing the ‘Destination Marathwada’ event, organised by the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), in Aurangabad on Monday evening.

    “The next version of Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured in Marathwada. Nearly 1,600 coaches will be manufactured at the facility in Latur. Each coach will cost Rs 8 crore to 9 crore. The project will create opportunities for companies located in radius of 400 km to 500 km,” he added.

    Talking about the next generation of Vande Bharat Express, Vaishnaw said, “The maximum speed of these trains will be 200 kmph as compared to 180 kmph now. First coach of this version will be rolled out in the next 15 to 16 months.”

    On challenges in manufacturing the semi-high-speed trains, the minister said, “We succeeded in bringing down the noise level inside them to 60-65 decibels which is less than an aircraft (85-90 decibels).”

    The speed of laying railway tracks has gone up since 2014, he said. “The speed of laying railway tracks was 4 km per day prior to 2014. This has now reached 12 km per day and the government intends to scale this up to 20 km per day,” Vaishnaw said.

    Aurangabad will get 5G internet facility before March 31, 2023, he said. The Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) will be projected as an investment destination by the railway ministry, Vaishnaw said.

    AURANGABAD: The Marathwada Rail Coach Factory at Latur in central Maharashtra will manufacture nearly 1,600 coaches for the upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express trains in the coming years and each of them will cost Rs 8 crore to Rs 9 crore, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

    He said the advanced version of Vande Bharat trains will be able to attain maximum speed of 200 km per hour (kmph).

    Vaishnaw was addressing the ‘Destination Marathwada’ event, organised by the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), in Aurangabad on Monday evening.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The next version of Vande Bharat trains will be manufactured in Marathwada. Nearly 1,600 coaches will be manufactured at the facility in Latur. Each coach will cost Rs 8 crore to 9 crore. The project will create opportunities for companies located in radius of 400 km to 500 km,” he added.

    Talking about the next generation of Vande Bharat Express, Vaishnaw said, “The maximum speed of these trains will be 200 kmph as compared to 180 kmph now. First coach of this version will be rolled out in the next 15 to 16 months.”

    On challenges in manufacturing the semi-high-speed trains, the minister said, “We succeeded in bringing down the noise level inside them to 60-65 decibels which is less than an aircraft (85-90 decibels).”

    The speed of laying railway tracks has gone up since 2014, he said. “The speed of laying railway tracks was 4 km per day prior to 2014. This has now reached 12 km per day and the government intends to scale this up to 20 km per day,” Vaishnaw said.

    Aurangabad will get 5G internet facility before March 31, 2023, he said. The Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) will be projected as an investment destination by the railway ministry, Vaishnaw said.