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

Urban Infra Group November 07, 2022

New Delhi, India, 7th November 2022: 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 Ashish Kundra, Principal Secretary & Transport Commissioner, Govt. of Delhi is talking on Making Delhi as Role Modal for Sustainable Transportation Systems in India]

"...First of all, we are trying to move to a clean fuel technology so which means we are encouraging use of BS-VI CNG & electric powered vehicles...if I just take this few times the active registered vehicles in Delhi uses about 80 lakhs to 30% already in the clean fuel space which means increasingly the number of clean fuel technology-based vehicles are increasing in Delhi," said Kundra. "We have given a major push to electric mobility in the personal transport space and I am happy to share that the numbers this year are increased more than 10% of newly registered vehicles are electric. In fact, the numbers in October are touching 11% and two wheelers are fastest growing segment unlike it was the e-rickshaws in the past are the main segment of growth in electric mobility".

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.

[Shri Vinay Kumar Singh, Managing Director, NCRTC is delivering his speech on Role of RRTS in Urban & regional Development in India]

Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Singh has given the 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.
[Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Singh, GLBIMR is presenting her speech on Transforming Transport Infrastructure with Sustainable Marketing.]

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, Sr. Advisor (Infrastructure & Connectivity), 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

Shri Vinod Kumar, General Manager (Business Development), Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has given a very insightful and worthy presentation on mega investment opportunities in modernisation of Indian Railways' Stations under Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The Ministry of Railways has developed several redevelopment plans for railway stations, including the Model Station Scheme, Modern Station Scheme and Adarsh Station Scheme. More than thousand Railway stations will be redeveloped under the PPP modal.


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

Smt. Vinita Srivastava, Executive Director (Heritage), Railway Board, Ministry of Railways has given a very interesting and insightful presentation on how business avenues can be created through asset monetization at Indian Railways Heritage Sites. Her presentation was supported by various examples and initiatives being taken by other countries.


Award Ceremony

The 2nd Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2022 was concluded after a grand award ceremony where Urban Infra Business Leadership Awards were felicitated to a total of 41 winners in Individual and Corporate Leadership Categories. The awards were felicitated by Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Former Member (Rolling Stock), Railway Board, Ministry of Railways; Shri M. C. Chauhan, Former GM (NCR & Metro Railway Kolkata), Indian Railways and Shri Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director (Ease of Doing Business) and Project Director (National Highway for Electric Vehicles).


Padmashree Dr. E. Sreedharan conferred as Most Exemplary Urban Infra Leader for his Life Time Achievements and Contribution for developing mass rapid urban transit systems in India. The names of other awardees can be seen here.



The 2nd Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2022 brought together national and international experts, technology and service providers, policy makers, think tanks, practitioners and officials from Railways, Metros, Urban Transportation and Infrastructure sectors under one roof.


The 3rd Edition of Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2023 will be hosted in next year on 7th December 2023 at India International Centre, New Delhi, India.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Himani Gupta, Vice President, Urban Infra Group, who mentioned how the event was a unique forum of networking with experts and exchanging of ideas.

The recorded video of the entire program can be seen from here.

Session 1: Inauguration of 2nd Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2022










Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.

Paul J. Meyer

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