According to a recent report, the Research Designs & Standards Organisation under the Ministry of Railways of the government of India has shared design specifications with the railway board for 100 light aluminium coaches based on the Train-18 concept to enable comfortable travel in the shortest possible time between major cities of the country.

Director-General of RDSO, Sanjiv Bhutani, said: “Based on the current train-18 concept which runs over a distributed traction power system (self-propelled — do not require an engine) RDSO has forwarded specifications to develop 100 trains which can operate at 200 kmph. Further, the organization is working to design push and pull trains which also can cruise at 200 kmph.”

In addition, RDSO has unveiled the specification for the development of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell-based Hybrid Power Train, in which the Northern Railway is likely to invest.

RDSO and CSIO have also worked together in the past one year to develop anti- viral and anti-pathogen systems for air-conditioned coaches of Railways. The trial has been successful, and the Railway Board has given consent to install the systems in the AC coaches.

Sanjiv Bhutani said that under the programme Atmanirbhar Bharat, Indian Railways has initiated a programme called Startups for Railways to encourage exploring innovative opportunities related to the railway.

A grant of INR 1.5 crore (max) has also been passed already to the startsups on an equal sharing basis. Provision has been made for milestone-wise payment to start-ups.