Inaugurating the Conference, the Minister for Railways, Shri Nitish Kumar said that Indian Railways, now a full member of the prestigious Organisation, is unique because of its social service orientation as also for its self-reliance in meeting its infrastructure and rolling stock requirements. It has been constantly upgrading and modernising its operations and production process through various technology transfer arrangements with leading organisations of the world.

    Highlighting the unique nature of the Indian Railways Shri Nitish Kumar stated that it provides rather inexpensive travel facilities. Monthly season ticket holders travelling up to 250 kilometres have to pay only between $1 to $5for all their journeys in a month. The journey between New Delhi and Calcutta in an air-conditioned three –tier sleeper covering a distance of more than 1400 kilometres costs less that $35, the Minister added. Shri Nitish Kumar further stated that apart from its social obligations the Railways act as catalyst for integration of diverse languages and cultures of our vast sub-continent.

    The Minister said that the Indian Railways, has now started manufacturing 4000 HP AC-AC diesel electric locomotives. We have a manufacturing capacity of more than 2000 coaches every year and from this year, the Indian Railways have also started manufacturing coaches with stainless tubes with anti-climbing properties. Touching upon the safety aspect the Minister stated that over the years there has been considerable improvements in this segment. Signalling gears are now being replaced by solid state electronic system and major yards are now being operated with route relay interlocking

    system. Besides, wide scale use of Information Technology is being used not only in passenger reservation system but also in modernising the Freight Operation Information System. Almost 90 per cent of all accommodation on Indian Railways are reserved through inter-linked reservation system spread throughout the country. At the same time, steps for right sizing the organisation are already on at a steady rate. The manpower strength is being reduced by 1.2 per cent every year without affecting the interest of the railway workers.

    The Chairman of the UIC, Mr. M. Matsuda, who is also the Chairman of East Japan Railways said that the Organisation has adopted a pro-active approach to improve and re-organise a traditional management culture in the railway sector so that it may meet the increasingly intense competition from the road sector. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s words on the importance of the customer, he said throughout the world the Railways have to take care of this aspect. He said that the maintenance of assets is a major component of operational expenditure and needs a careful assessment.

    The Minister of State for Railways, Shri Rajagopal appreciated the efforts of UIC in facilitating international rail cooperation among different countries in technological and operational matters the benefits of which would eventually trickle down to rail users. The other Minister of State for Railways, Shri Digvijay Singh called for a leading role to the railways in the transport sector because of it being more fuel efficient and eco-friendly.

    The Chairman Railway Board, Shri R.N. Malhotra gave an account of the 150 years of history of Indian Railways and said that significant strides have been made in modernisation of operation and improvements in safety standards. Through constant upgradation it has been possible for the Indian Railways to reduce the incidence of train accidents from 5.5 per million train kilometres 40 years ago to as low as 0.65 now.

    As the clock struck 11.00 A.M., The delegates observed two minutes silence to join the Nation in paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters on the Martyrs Day.

    The Conference will cover all aspects of Railway Engineering viz. fixed infrastructure comprising track, signalling, overhead electric traction, mobile infrastructure consisting of coach, loco and rail wheel interaction. The three day deliberations of the Conference will comprise of five sessions. It will focus on the technologies which will help in reducing the overall cost of operation and maintenance of railway system.