Hindsight: India presently suffers from a severe and chronic under-investment in railway infrastructure. The transport industry in India also faces scrutiny on issues concerning environmental standards and sustainability. The use and application of rail transportation solutions are an answer to this particular problem as rail transportation accounts for only 1 per cent of the world´s CO2 emissions. Indian Railways has announced several capacity augmentation projects in the field of track laying, rolling stock and signaling, and new trains. The industry is preparing to meet this demand.
Forward look: Modernisation is urgently needed: Highly critical industrial inputs like coal, which contributes nearly 45 per cent to rail freight, traffic would then get the much-needed special attention. A modernised railway system will focus on efficient and effective evacuation, movement, and delivery of coal and other important goods.
As a global leader in rail technology, Bombardier Transportation has been investing in India for more than four decades. It is important for us to have a presence in India through a manufacturing base as this helps in developing our local skills and to bring in the technology to India at a very competitive rate acceptable to our customer base. Entry of private players (such as Bombardier) in rail transport has allowed Indian Railways and metro rail operators to assess the latest global technology. Other companies from Europe, US and Japan have shown a long term commitment to set up a base in India.
Harsh Dhingra, Chief Country Representative, Bombardier Transportation India, the Canadian manufacturer with a metro rail vehicle unit in Vadodara
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