NCRTC signs MoU with IIT Roorkee to boost Research and Innovation in Urban Mobility

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant step toward strengthening India’s urban transport ecosystem, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to collaborate on research, innovation, and capacity building in the urban mobility sector.

The MoU was exchanged on April 4, 2026, in the presence of NCRTC Managing Director Shalabh Goel and IIT Roorkee’s Dean of Resources and Alumni Affairs Prof. R. D. Garg, along with senior officials and academic leaders from both institutions. The collaboration aims to combine IIT Roorkee’s academic and research expertise with NCRTC’s on-ground experience in implementing India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), with a focus on developing sustainable and future-ready mobility solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Shalabh Goel said, “This partnership between academia and industry will bring together the expertise of both worlds to address the complexities of the new-age mobility equation. The innovations and technology solutions from this collaboration will help pave the way for Viksit Bharat while strengthening indigenous capabilities in the sector.” IIT Roorkee Director Prof. (Dr.) Kamal Kishore Pant highlighted the importance of translational research, stating that the partnership provides a strong platform to align academic research with national infrastructure priorities, particularly in the domain of efficient and sustainable urban transport systems.

Under the agreement, both organisations will jointly undertake research projects of mutual interest, focusing on practical and scalable solutions for real-world urban transport challenges. NCRTC is expected to share operational problem statements with IIT Roorkee’s faculty and researchers, encouraging applied research aligned with industry requirements. The collaboration also opens avenues for technology demonstrations and potential transfer of innovations, helping bridge the gap between academic research and real-world implementation.

The partnership will also promote skill development and knowledge exchange through internship opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students, offering them exposure to large-scale infrastructure projects and live transit systems. In addition, NCRTC personnel will benefit from specialised training programmes, certification courses, and workshops conducted by IIT Roorkee, enabling continuous upskilling and adoption of emerging technologies.

The collaboration builds upon NCRTC’s experience in deploying advanced technologies in the Namo Bharat project, including ETCS Level 2 (Hybrid Level 3) signalling on an LTE backbone and precast ballastless slab track systems designed for high-speed operations of up to 180 kmph. These innovations have already contributed to strengthening domestic expertise and enhancing indigenous capabilities in rail-based transit systems.

Both institutions will also explore organising joint conferences, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms to foster dialogue and exchange ideas across the mobility ecosystem. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to driving innovation, strengthening technical capabilities, and developing a future-ready workforce to support India’s rapidly evolving urban transport infrastructure.

Adding an industry perspective, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “Collaborations between leading academic institutions and implementing agencies like NCRTC are essential to build a robust innovation ecosystem in urban mobility. Such partnerships not only accelerate technology adoption but also play a crucial role in developing skilled talent required for next-generation infrastructure projects.”

With this MoU, NCRTC and IIT Roorkee aim to create a strong foundation for research-driven, sustainable, and scalable mobility solutions that will shape the future of urban transportation in India.