India launches Chamber of Railway Industries (Rail Chamber) on Good Governance Day

The Rail Chamber website goes live on Good Governance Day, marking the digital launch of India’s first dedicated railway industry platform. (Photo: Rail Chamber)

New Delhi, India: India has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its global railway leadership with the official launch of the Chamber of Railway Industries (Rail Chamber), the country’s first dedicated industry platform for the railway sector. The launch coincides with the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, observed nationwide as Good Governance Day, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to transparency, accountability and citizen-centric reforms in the rail ecosystem.

Filling a century-old institutional gap

For more than a century, advanced railway nations have benefitted from powerful industry forums such as the Association of American Railroads in the United States, the International Union of Railways in Europe and the Australian Railway Association. These bodies drive research, policy advocacy and global standardisation, giving shape to world-class railway systems. Despite operating the world’s fourth-largest rail network, India has until now lacked a comparable non-governmental industry chamber. The creation of the Rail Chamber closes this longstanding gap by providing a unified voice for rolling stock manufacturers, technology innovators, system integrators and infrastructure developers to engage directly with policy makers.

Driving the vision of ‘Viksit Rail 2047’

The Rail Chamber has been conceived to support the Government of India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Rail 2047 mission. It aims to accelerate technological self-reliance in areas such as indigenous signalling systems, advanced trainsets and Make-in-India manufacturing. The Chamber will focus on policy advocacy, manufacturing competitiveness, supply-chain improvement and export promotion, aligning Indian standards with international benchmarks to help the country emerge as a leading railway technology exporter.

Welcoming the launch, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group and Board Member of Rail Chamber, said,

The formation of the Chamber of Railway Industries is a landmark reform for India’s rail sector. A dedicated, independent industry platform will accelerate innovation, encourage global collaboration and support the government’s long-term vision of Viksit Rail 2047. By bringing manufacturers, technologists, start-ups and policymakers onto one forum, India is creating the institutional backbone needed to become a true global railway powerhouse.

Honouring the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The launch of the Rail Chamber’s digital platform on December 25 pays tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose tenure laid the groundwork for India’s modern infrastructure expansion. The Chamber has pledged to uphold the spirit of Good Governance by promoting data-driven decision-making, ethical practices and transparency in industry engagement. While the digital platform is now live at www.railchamber.org, a grand physical launch is planned in New Delhi, expected to be attended by senior Railway Ministry leadership and industry captains.

A new apex body for a new railway era

Established as a Section 8 not-for-profit organisation, the Chamber of Railway Industries will serve as the apex representative body for India’s railway manufacturing and services ecosystem. It will nurture young leadership through dedicated forums, encourage research and indigenisation, and support start-ups and innovators entering the rail domain. Beyond business and technology, the Chamber also plans initiatives in education, skilling and social welfare so that sectoral growth remains inclusive and socially meaningful.

With this launch, India signals its intent to match global best practices and build a future-ready rail ecosystem. As Indian Railways modernises at an unprecedented pace with high-speed corridors, advanced signalling and next-generation rolling stock, the Rail Chamber is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping policy direction and strengthening India’s position in the global railway industry.