The 2nd Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2022 concluded in New Delhi

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): The Urban Infra Group (Urban Infra Communication Pvt Ltd, Urban Transport News and Metro Rail Today) in association with i-Metro, Rail Land Development Authority, Ministry of Railways and other leading industry players has successfully hosted the 2nd edition of Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2022 in New Delhi, India. The event was organised at India International Centre, New Delhi and attended by more than hundred renowned industry leaders from the Government, Nodal Ministries, Public Sector Undertakings and Private Players. The theme of event was "India@75: Development of Rail, Metros, Transportation and Urban Infrastructure in India". 

The 2nd Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2022 was jointly inaugurated by Chief Guests Shri Ashish Kundra, Principal Secretary & Transport Commissioner, Government of Delhi; Shri Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) and Smt. Mamta Shah, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Editor, Urban Infra Group Publications followed by national anthem and Welcome Note by Ms. Himani Gupta, Vice President (Marketing), Urban Infra Group.

In his keynote address, Shri Ashish Kundra has delivered insightful speech on how is Delhi becoming a role modal for sustainable transportation systems in India. He noted various key initiatives taken by Government of Delhi and Delhi Transport Department to curb the carbon emissions and provide safe, sustainable & ecofriendly public transportation systems in past years.

Shri Vinay Kumar Singh has given a very insightful speech supported by a detailed presentation on the Role of Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) in Urban and Regional Development in India. He also discussed about advantage of RRTS over other modes of transportation systems and how RRTS will fill the gap of regional commute across the country.

Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Singh has given a very insightful presentation on Transforming Transport Infrastructure with Sustainable Marketing and suggested some measures need to be taken to achieve the sustainable transportation system in India at par with other developed countries.

During the day, conference participants had the opportunities to choose among various technical sessions to discuss topics and develop recommendations. Topics included challenges in implementation of major urban infrastructure projects (like Rail, Metro & Transportation) in India and suggested solutions; various opportunities for investors in modernisation of Indian Railways Stations; Investment, Financing and Business Avenues in Urban Railways, Infrastructure and Mobility Industry in India; issues in major Urban Infra contracts and suggested measures to achieve sustainable goals; opportunities in Rolling Stock & systems market in India and Asset Monetization and Business Avenues at Railway Heritage Sites.

At the beginning of each sessions participant were presented with background information and discussion questions. Then, following a structured process of brainstorming and information exchange, participants in the sessions reached consensus on various recommendations and discussed barriers and solutions.

Plenary Session on Implementation of major urban infrastructure projects in India - Challenges & Solutions

This technical session was moderated by Ms. Harshita Jain, Director, Consulting Engineers Group Ltd. This technical session was participated by eminent speakers namely Shri Rajesh Prasad, Director (Operations), Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL); Shri Ashish Singh, Vice President (Marketing & Business Development), KEC International Ltd. and Shri Siddharth Jha, Head (Rail Business), WSP Global. 

Plenary Session on Investment, Financing and Business Avenues in Urban Railways, Infrastructure and Mobility Industry in India

This session was moderated by Dr. Namrita Kalsi, Principal Architect, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). This session was participated by eminent speakers namely Shri Sudhendu J. Sinha, Advisor (Infrastructure & E-Mobility), NITI Aayog; Shri Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director (Ease of Doing Business) and Project Director (National Highway for Electric Vehicles); Shri Nanduri Srinivas, Director (Operations & BD), Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL); Smt. Vinita Srivastava, Executive Director (Heritage), Railway Board, Ministry of Railways; Shri  Ashish Saini, Dy. Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts Officer, Northern Railway (Indian Railways) and Shri Harsh Dhingra, Management Consultant (Rail & Metro).

Plenary Session on Rolling Stock & Systems - Emerging Business Opportunities in India

This session was moderated by Shri Keshav Kumar,  Railway System Expert. This session was participated by eminent speakers namely Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Former Member (Rolling Stock), Railway Board, Ministry of Railways; Dr. Anirudh Gautam, Principal Executive Director, RDSO Lucknow; Shri M. C. Chauhan, Former GM (NCR & Metro Railway Kolkata), Indian Railways; Shri Devendra Dutta Mishra, Executive Director (Rolling Stock), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) and Shri Harshkumar Bajpeyee, Managing Director, Schwihag India.

Presentation on Modernisation of Indian Railways Stations - A big opportunity for Investors

Presentation on issues in major Urban Infra contracts and suggested measures to achieve sustainable goals

Shri Veer Narayan, Technical Director - Railways, Systra Ltd has given a very interesting and insightful presentation on issues in major Urban Infra contracts and suggested measures to achieve sustainable goals. According to him, the major urban infrastructure projects deal with different types of challenges like working in public space with tough environmental guidelines, lot of utilities, multiple stockholders, interference from public, tight timelines, limitation of working hours and space etc. These constraints leads to tough conditions in project management, scheduling, quality and safety issues. His presentation deals with the challenges to the major urban infrastructure projects and how to fine tune the contract agreement to deal with these challenges. 

Presentation on Asset Monetization and Business Avenues at Railway Heritage Sites

Award Ceremony