Indian Railways Emerges as Global Export Hub Says Vaishnaw

• Indian Railways is becoming a major exporter of rail components globally
• Alstom’s Savli unit is key to manufacturing and exports
• Focus on AI, innovation, and skill development is growing

Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has declared that Indian Railways is quickly becoming a global centre for exporting rail infrastructure. This includes bogies, coaches, locomotives, and propulsion systems, all developed under the "Make in India, Make for the World" initiative.

The minister made this remark whilst visiting Alstom's manufacturing site in Savli, Vadodara. He lauded Alstom's ability to customise their solutions and encouraged Indian Railways to adopt similar practices of being innovative.

He proposed a collaboration between Alstom and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya where the two parties could run a joint training programme to share knowledge and expertise to support their technical aspects of working together.

Vaishnaw also proposed GM's from Indian Railways Production Units participate in exposure visits via the Savli plant, to enhance learning (in support of innovation). Discussions during the visit to the facility included sensor and AI integration in preventive maintenance systems. This is essential to modernise rail operations.

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The Savli unit is an integral part of India's railway manufacturing ecosystem and mirrored the Indian government Aatmanirbhar Bharat aspiration. The Savli unit employs more than 3,400 Indian engineers and is specifically aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as there are 21 sites of Alstom globally employing Indians.

Since 2016, over 1,000 rail cars have been exported from India, of which Savli manufactured 450 rail cars for Queensland Metro in Australia. Savli has exported over 3,800 bogies and over 4,000 flatpacks to Germany, Austria, Egypt, Sweden, and Brazil.

Other Alstom sites such as Maneja have also played an essential role in the process of manufacturing and shipping over 5,000 propulsion systems worldwide. As a result of this process, India is now managing 27 international signalling projects and overseeing another 40 signalling projects. The Digital Experience Centre in Bengaluru has invested in advanced signalling technologies that deploy AI, IoT, blockchain, and cybersecurity innovations.

Exports currently involve metro coaches, bogies, propulsion systems, coaches, and locomotives to connections on all five continents. Vaishnaw underlined that increased exports do not only play long-term economic benefit to India but also further enhance the standard of Indian engineering on an International scale.

He stated, "The success of the Make in India mission is reflected in the fact that Indian Railways products and systems are now present in several countries. It is generating employment, building expertise, and positioning India as a trusted global rail partner".