Organised by Urban Infra Group in association with the Chamber of Railway Industries (Rail Chamber) and supported by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, the second day provided an ideal platform for thought-provoking discussions on hydrogen mobility, artificial intelligence, smart infrastructure, digital railways, predictive maintenance, freight modernization and indigenous manufacturing. Throughout the day, delegates actively participated in technical presentations, high-level panel discussions, business meetings and networking sessions while exhibitors continued to showcase cutting-edge technologies designed to transform the future of rail and mobility.
The concluding day also featured the prestigious 6th Urban Infra Leadership Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions by organizations and professionals driving innovation and excellence across the railway, metro, transportation, infrastructure and logistics sectors.
Another Productive Day Begins
The second day commenced with delegate registration and networking over welcome tea from 9:00 AM onwards, creating another opportunity for exhibitors, speakers and visitors to exchange ideas before the technical sessions began.
The exhibition halls remained vibrant from the morning, attracting visitors from Indian Railways, metro corporations, public sector undertakings, engineering companies, consultants, EPC contractors, research institutions, universities and private enterprises. Delegates explored a wide range of technologies covering railway signalling, industrial automation, AI-enabled inspection systems, cybersecurity, digital asset management, logistics platforms, smart surveillance, semiconductor solutions, welding automation, predictive maintenance and sustainable construction technologies.
Technical Session Opens with Sustainable Rail Technologies
The day's conference proceedings were formally opened by host Ms. Payal Aggarwal, followed by the first technical session focusing on sustainable transportation and underground infrastructure technologies.
The opening presentation was delivered by Mr. Surinder Suri, Former General Manager of Rail Coach Factory, Indian Railways, who discussed the Future of Hydrogen-Powered Trains in India. He explained how hydrogen propulsion could become an important pillar of India's transition towards clean transportation by reducing dependence on fossil fuels while supporting national sustainability goals. The session generated considerable interest among railway professionals as hydrogen-powered mobility continues to emerge as a promising alternative for non-electrified railway routes.
The next presentation was delivered by Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Managing Director of Underground Magnetics, who highlighted the importance of accurate digital mapping of underground optical fibre networks and power utilities. He demonstrated how advanced underground detection and mapping technologies can significantly improve safety during railway construction projects, reduce accidental damage to utilities and enhance planning efficiency for future infrastructure development.
Next-Generation Technologies Take Centre Stage
One of the most engaging sessions of the conference was the high-level panel discussion on "Next-Gen Technologies & Future-Ready Rail Systems for Viksit Rail 2047."
Moderated by Ms. Sujata Sahay, CEO of IndiaWelds, the discussion brought together an accomplished panel comprising Mr. Navneet Kaushik, Senior Advisor (S&T), National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited; Dr. Namrita Kalsi, Chief Architect, HMRTC and Gurugram Metro Rail Limited; Mr. Manoj Tandon, Director (Projects & Operations), RailTel Corporation of India; Prof. (Dr.) Neha Yadav, Assistant Professor, JSS University; Dr. Jitendra Singh, Group Managing Director, Heinrich Corporation India; and Mr. Mansur Faroqui, CEO, LinqHaul India.
The panel examined the transformational role of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), predictive maintenance, automation, signalling technologies, digital twins, cybersecurity, smart ticketing systems and intelligent passenger services in shaping the future of railway operations. Panelists agreed that digital transformation would play a decisive role in enhancing operational efficiency, passenger safety and asset performance while enabling Indian Railways to meet growing transportation demands.
The interactive discussion also highlighted the importance of collaboration between technology developers, railway operators, academia and policymakers in accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies across the sector.
International Technology Showcase
The conference continued with another technical session featuring global technology leaders presenting innovative engineering solutions for railway applications.
Mr. Andreas Bayerlein, Sales Director (Transport), Roediger Vacuum GmbH, Germany, presented advanced vacuum-based supply and disposal systems designed specifically for railway service depots. He explained how smart waste management technologies can improve operational efficiency while supporting environmentally sustainable railway maintenance.
The following presentation by Mr. Sumon Mitra, Chief Operating Officer, CLOOS India Welding Technology, showcased advanced robotic welding systems, digital manufacturing technologies and automated production solutions for railway rolling stock manufacturing. He highlighted how intelligent welding automation is improving precision, productivity and product quality while supporting India's expanding railway manufacturing ecosystem.
Indigenous Manufacturing and Smart Infrastructure
A major highlight of the day was the panel discussion on "Indigenous & Smart Rail Infrastructure Development for Viksit Rail 2047."
The session featured eminent industry leaders including Mr. Anil Kumar Khandelwal, Former Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board; Mr. Srinivas Nanduri, Advisor (Traffic), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation; Mr. Harsimran Singh, IRSE and Chief Vigilance Officer, Hindustan Copper Limited; Mr. Aditya Vikram Birla, CMD, COSMIC Birla Group; and Mr. Manish Pandey, Managing Director, ADJ Engineering Pvt. Ltd.
The panel explored strategies to strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities under the Make in India initiative. Discussions covered the localization of signalling systems, rolling stock, electrification technologies, smart stations, digital asset management and enhanced participation of MSMEs in railway infrastructure projects.
The panelists unanimously emphasized that India's growing railway modernization programme presents an unprecedented opportunity to develop globally competitive domestic manufacturing capabilities while reducing import dependence and enhancing export potential.
Exploring the Future of Freight and Mobility
The final technical session focused on the future of freight transportation and emerging mobility technologies.
Mr. Sandesh Shrivastava, Executive Director (Projects), Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited, presented the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing smart and dedicated freight infrastructure to support India's rapidly expanding logistics sector.
This was followed by an engaging presentation from Mr. Aditya Khakse, Head (Business Development), TuTr Hyperloop, IIT Madras, who discussed the potential of Hyperloop technology to position India as a global leader in future mobility. He explained ongoing research, technological advancements and the long-term opportunities for integrating ultra-high-speed transportation into India's infrastructure landscape.
The concluding technical presentation was delivered by Mr. Kumar Biswas, Former Joint Director, Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India. His presentation explored the strategic relationship between railways, freight transportation and national energy security, emphasizing the critical role of rail transport in reducing logistics costs, improving energy efficiency and strengthening India's economic competitiveness.
Exhibition Continues to Generate Business Opportunities
Parallel to the conference, the exhibition remained a vibrant centre for technology demonstrations, product showcases and business networking. Throughout the day, exhibitors interacted with railway officials, metro corporations, consultants, procurement agencies, engineering companies and international visitors.
Several companies showcased innovations in AI-enabled surveillance, predictive maintenance, digital logistics, advanced welding technologies, industrial automation, smart asset management, semiconductors, communication systems, cybersecurity, power electronics and railway infrastructure.
The exhibition facilitated productive business discussions, potential collaborations and technology partnerships, reinforcing RailTrans Expo's growing reputation as an important business platform for the railway and transportation industry.
Honouring Excellence at the 6th Urban Infra Leadership Awards
The second day culminated in the 6th Urban Infra Leadership Awards, one of the most anticipated highlights of RailTrans Expo 2026.
The awards recognized exemplary leadership, innovation and outstanding contributions across railways, metro systems, transportation, logistics, infrastructure development, engineering, manufacturing, research and technology.
Industry leaders, public sector organizations, private enterprises, innovators and professionals were honoured for their commitment to advancing India's infrastructure ecosystem through excellence in project delivery, technological innovation, sustainability, manufacturing and business leadership.
The award ceremony celebrated the collective achievements of organizations and individuals contributing to the modernization of India's railway and transportation sectors while inspiring future innovation and collaboration.
Closing Ceremony and Vote of Thanks
Following the awards ceremony, the conference concluded with a feedback session and formal vote of thanks. The organizers expressed sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Railways, the Chamber of Railway Industries, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), strategic partners, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, delegates, media representatives, volunteers and supporting organizations for their invaluable contribution to the successful organization of the sixth edition of RailTrans Expo.
The closing remarks highlighted the overwhelming response received from participants and reaffirmed Urban Infra Group's commitment to continuously expanding the event into one of the world's leading exhibitions and conferences dedicated to railways, transportation, logistics and future mobility technologies.
Key Outcomes of Day Two
The concluding day successfully demonstrated the importance of integrating advanced technologies, indigenous innovation and collaborative partnerships to build a resilient, efficient and sustainable transportation ecosystem. Discussions throughout the day reinforced India's readiness to adopt emerging technologies such as hydrogen propulsion, artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, Hyperloop research, digital twins and smart infrastructure solutions.
The active participation of policymakers, public sector leaders, technology providers, startups, academic institutions and international companies reflected the growing confidence of the global railway community in India's infrastructure transformation journey.
Looking Ahead
With the successful conclusion of the 6th RailTrans Expo & Conference 2026, Urban Infra Group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting innovation, knowledge exchange and business collaboration across the railway and transportation sectors. The organizers announced that preparations for the 7th RailTrans Expo & Conference 2027 would commence shortly, with plans to further expand international participation, dedicated country pavilions, technology zones, startup showcases and investor engagement.
The sixth edition concluded on a high note, leaving participants inspired by the opportunities ahead and strengthening RailTrans Expo's position as one of India's premier platforms driving the future of railways, transportation and sustainable mobility.
