Page 6 - Demo

6METRO RAIL NEWS -AUGUST 2025 www.metrorailnews.in NARENDRA SHAHMANAGING EDITORCELEBRATING THE 79 YEARS OF PROGRESS: RAILWAYS AT THE CORE OF INDIA%u2019S DEVELOPMENTDear Readers. Welcome to the August 2025 edition of Metro Rail News magazine. As we celebrate the 79th Independence Day this month, we shall remember the sacrifices that earned us the freedom we enjoy today. India%u2019s progress from a GDP of %u20b92.7 lakh crore at the time of independence to a $4 trillion economy illustrates the steady evolution. As one of the world%u2019s fastest-growing economies, India%u2019s ambition to join the ranks of developed nations is closely linked to the strength and scale of its infrastructure.Infrastructure, particularly in the urban and transport sectors, will be central to achieving these goals. According to the World Bank, India will require over $2.4 trillion in investment by 2050 to develop resilient, low-carbon urban infrastructure. Among these sectors, rail transport is expected to play a vital role in driving sustainable and inclusive growth.However, meeting this demand will require substantial capital investment not only for expanding the railway network but also for upgrading existing infrastructure to meet growing passenger and freight requirements. India currently operates the world%u2019s fourth-largest railway network and the third-largest metro system. The expansion of rail infrastructure is going to be quite challenging, particularly in urban areas, due to the increasing population and unavailability of land. As per the projections by MoHUA, 53% population will reside in urban areas by 2047. This highlights the need to adopt modern technologies to increase the capacity of rail infrastructure, which can eliminate the need to expand infrastructure to some extent. The 5G technology will act as the foreground for upgrading the technological framework. The inclusion of 5G in rail communication systems will lead to unlocking the potential of modern signalling systems, IoT and safety systems. This technology shift will be critical for high-speed rail initiatives in India. The cover story of this edition examines the role of 5G in advancing rail operations in the coming years. After breaking the shackles of slavery in 1947, India excelled in almost every sector. It undertook incredible infrastructure projects, which today glorify its prowess. One such example is the Udhampur%u2013Srinagar%u2013Baramulla Rail Link. This project is considered one of the most challenging projects executed in the history of Indian Railways and has great significance due to its geographical location. When the J&K region was disconnected from the rest of the nation, Indian Railways brought it back onto the railway map. The project itself is an engineering marvel and features the world%u2019s highest railway bridge and India%u2019s longest transport tunnel. Despite encountering critical engineering challenges, the project was at last commissioned in June 2025. This edition of Metro Rail News takes a closer look at the various aspects of the USBRL project, tracing its development, execution, and impact on regional rail connectivity.Another example is the development of Dedicated Freight Corridors in India, which holds immense potential to substantially reduce the logistics cost in India, which are currently higher than global standards due to the dominance of road transport. The DFCs will not only decongest the railway lines and streamline operations, but they will also give a push to the economy by acting as the backbone of the supply chain, facilitating connectivity between key industrial hubs, and enabling faster and more reliable freight movement. This edition examines the impact of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) on India%u2019s supply chain and provides insights into the expansion and critical challenges associated with the implementation of DFCs in the country.The rail transport industry has evolved with the changing needs of the country. As we celebrate our 79th Independence Day, it is a moment to reflect on the milestones we have achieved while strengthening our vision for the future. We hope this edition of Metro Rail News provides you with insights into the industry%u2019s progress and priorities, and helps you to make strategic decisions that will contribute to the growth of the country.Narendra ShahManaging EditorMetro Rail News THE EDITOR%u2019S NOTE6METRO RAIL NEWS -AUGUST 2025 www.metrorailnews.in