Indian Railways’ “Startups for Railways” Initiative Gains Traction with 1251 Entities on Innovation Portal
In a significant move towards fostering innovation, Indian Railways has witnessed a surge in participation for its “Startups for Railways” initiative, launched by the Ministry of Railways on June 13, 2022. The initiative aims to engage startups, MSMEs, innovators, and entrepreneurs in contributing innovative technologies to enhance operational efficiency and safety on the Indian Railways network. The dedicated Indian Railways Innovation Portal (https://innovation.indianrailways.gov.in/) serves as a platform for collaboration.
The primary objective of the initiative is to address issues related to quality, reliability, and maintainability within the Indian Railways framework. The unique policy ensures that the startup, MSME, innovator, or entrepreneur retains exclusive ownership of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) generated during the project.
The momentum of the initiative is reflected in the impressive numbers:
- Total Entities Registered on Innovation Portal: 1251
- Startups: 248
- Individual Innovators: 671
- MSMEs: 142
- R&D Organizations/Institutes: 58
- Proprietorship/Partnership Firms/Company/LLP/JV/Consortium: 47
- NGOs: 19
- Others: 66
Furthermore, the initiative has awarded a total of 23 projects with an approximate value of Rs. 43.87 Crore, showcasing the commitment to fostering innovation within the Indian Railways ecosystem. The “Startups for Railways” initiative is a testament to the railway’s dedication to embracing cutting-edge technologies and solutions from diverse entities to drive continuous improvement in its operations.
