The Chamber of Railway Industries (Rail Chamber) serves as the primary advocate for the railway industry in India. Our "Key Positions" are data-driven stances on critical issues that impact manufacturing competitiveness, technological self-reliance, and global exports. We work to ensure that government policies align with the practical realities of the industry.
1. Accelerating "Viksit Rail 2047"
We support the government's vision of a developed India by 2047. Our position is that the railway sector must be the primary engine of this growth. We advocate for:
- Long-term Capital Predictability: Ensuring a consistent 5-year rolling plan for procurement of rolling stock and infrastructure to allow industries to plan capacity expansions.
- Standardization: Aligning Indian railway standards with global benchmarks (such as EN/UIC/ISO) to make Indian products "Export Ready" by default.
2. Supply Chain Resilience & MSME Empowerment
A robust railway ecosystem depends on a healthy tier-2 and tier-3 supplier base. The Rail Chamber advocates for:
- Indigenization Credit: Recognizing and rewarding "Value Addition" in India rather than just "Assembly in India."
- Ease of Vendor Registration: Simplifying the RDSO/Zonal Railway vendor approval processes for startups and MSMEs to encourage innovation in sub-components.
3. Safety and Technology Self-Reliance
Safety is non-negotiable. We advocate for the rapid, indigenous development of critical safety technologies:
- KAVACH Proliferation: Supporting the accelerated nationwide rollout of the KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System).
- Digital Transformation: Positioning for "Industry 4.0" in rail, including predictive maintenance, AI-driven traffic management, and IoT-enabled wagons.
4. Global Market Access & Export Promotion
To transform India from a large rail operator into a Global Railway Powerhouse, we position for:
- G-to-G Credit Lines: Encouraging the Government to include railway equipment in bilateral credit lines for developing nations.
- Standardized Certifications: Advocating for a unified Indian Railway Certification Body that is recognized by international rail regulators.
5. Sustainable and Green Railways
In line with India's "Net Zero 2030" goal, we promote:
- Hydrogen and Battery Traction: Pushing for policy incentives for R&D in alternative fuel locomotives.
- Circular Economy: Establishing standards for the "End-of-Life" recycling of coaches and wagons.
Our Advocacy Mechanism
The Rail Chamber represents these positions through:
- Technical Committees: Comprising industry experts who draft white papers and case studies.
- Stakeholder Consultations: Direct representation in Ministry of Railways and NITI Aayog pre-budget and policy meetings.
- Global Roadshows: Promoting the "Make in India" brand at international forums like InnoTrans and RailTrans.