Railway Minister invites Startups to join Rail-Tech Portal for Driving Innovation in Indian Railways

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has urged startups, innovators and technology enterprises to actively participate in the Rail-Tech Portal, an initiative aimed at accelerating innovation and digital transformation across Indian Railways.

Addressing representatives from technology firms and emerging enterprises, the Minister described the Rail-Tech Portal as a collaborative platform where new ideas, products and technologies can be showcased, tested and deployed within railway operations. The initiative is designed to directly connect innovators with real-world railway challenges, enabling faster validation and adoption of advanced solutions.

Vaishnaw emphasized that Indian Railways, as one of the largest rail networks in the world, offers vast opportunities for technological intervention across areas such as safety enhancement, operational efficiency, automation, asset management, energy optimisation, passenger experience and freight logistics.

He encouraged startups and technology developers to leverage the portal to test concepts, scale prototypes and co-create solutions in partnership with railway authorities. According to the Minister, deeper engagement with the startup ecosystem can significantly accelerate problem-solving and improve overall system performance.

The Rail-Tech Portal aligns with national priorities of digitalisation, indigenisation and strengthening economic competitiveness. The platform seeks innovative applications in predictive maintenance, real-time data analytics, artificial intelligence, smart infrastructure monitoring and advanced mobility systems.

Participants were informed that the portal provides access to structured challenge statements, technical specifications and evaluation frameworks. Innovators can submit proposals tailored to specific operational needs, and selected solutions may be piloted and integrated into existing railway systems to deliver measurable improvements.

Reiterating the importance of collaboration, Vaishnaw stated that early engagement through the Rail-Tech Portal would enable technology firms to align their products with sectoral requirements and expand their footprint within railway applications.

Commenting on the initiative, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO, Urban Infra Group, said, “The Rail-Tech Portal represents a significant shift toward open innovation in the railway ecosystem. By directly linking startups with operational challenges, the ministry is creating a structured pathway for rapid experimentation and deployment. If executed effectively, this platform can catalyse homegrown rail technologies and position India as a global leader in rail innovation.”

The Minister’s call to action underscores the government’s continued focus on leveraging innovation to modernise railway infrastructure, enhance service quality and drive operational efficiencies across both freight and passenger segments.