“Innovation in High Speed Railway” April 6, 2017

Delhi State Centre, The Institution of Engineers (India) and Institution of Engineering & Technology (UK), Delhi Local Network jointly organised a Technical Programme on April 6, 2017 at Institution Premises, New Delhi on theme: “Innovation in High Speed Railway”.

Delivering the welcome address Shri N Venkatesan, Past Chairman, Institution of Engineering & Technology (UK), Ex Member Electrical, Railway Board mentioned that significance of high speed Railways is increasing day by day due to continuous implement in economy of the country and simultaneously now people desire to spent their time effectively on useful activities.

Shri Pradeep Chaturvedi, Council Member, The Institution of Engineers (India) in his address stressed that High Speed trains is a topic that has been attracting attention of the common men and they look up to the engineering fraternity to provide them faster trains at the earliest. There is a different perception of what is really meant by high speed trains. Is the bulletin train the only solution or keeping in view the infrastructure conditions of the Indian Railways, train at a little lower speed can also be termed as High Speed Train.

Expressing satisfaction over the future traffic load of Railways, Shri Chaturvedi mentioned that Construction of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) which are being built more or less parallel to the existing double line tracks will release the congestion on the existing tracks as these will then be carrying only the passenger traffic as the freight traffic will shift to the newly constructed train corridors.

Shri Pankaj Guleria, WoE Test Manager, Hitachi Rail Europe, IET Global Ambassador who was key note speaker of the programme in his address apprised in details about the strategy of Hitachi Rail Europe in effectively providing the test services to the citizen in UK. Shri Guleria in his presentation highlighted on various key features of AT services of trains manufactured by Hitachi Rail Europe. Some of the key features of the train are best of specific energy consumption, highest level of safety features, comfort for crew and passengers and highlight reliability of engine and Bogies.. Shri Guleria informed that AT400 train is the latest of version of train released by Hitachi Rail Europe.

Chief Guest of the function Shri Ghanshyam Singh, Member Traction, Railway Board, in his address stressed the various actions taken by Indian Railways to reduce rail accidents. He mentioned that commendable improvement has been witnessed in this area during the last five years. However, still more cohesive actions are required to achieve International Bench Mark. Shri Singh in his address highlighted the achievements of Indian Railways after running of “Semi Speed Rail” from Nizamuddin to Agra. He mentioned that innovation on “High Speed Corridor” is already in progress and expected results can be seen in the coming years.

He informed that Railways is also focussing on Energy Efficiency and Energy conservation. In this regard, installation of Solar Power Plants is one of the key projects. Intention is to reduce carbon foot print of major railway stations. Saving of traction energy is also other option. Concluding his address. Shri Singh mentioned that “Safety” has been of paramount interest for Indian Railways and in this regard Railways is working actively to eradicate accidents occurring in Rail-Line.

Shri Praveen Kumar Singh, Honorary Secretary, Delhi State Centre-IEI proposed the vote of thanks.

Shri Aman Rajput, Secretary, YPS, Institution of Engineering & Technology (UK)-DLN coordinated the programme.

Nearly 160 members, guests and invitees attended the function.