New Delhi, India (December 7, 2023): The 3rd Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2023, held on 7th December 2023 at the India International Centre, New Delhi, brought together visionaries, experts, and industry leaders to delve into the critical facets of urban infrastructure development. This post-event report highlights the key insights, discussions, and accolades presented during this groundbreaking summit.
The Urban Infra Group achieved a significant milestone with the successful hosting of the 3rd edition of the prestigious Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2023. The event took place on the 7th of December 2023 at the esteemed India International Centre in New Delhi, India. Distinguished leaders from Nodal Ministries, Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and prominent private players in the industry convened to deliberate on emerging business opportunities, technological advancements, and innovations within the Railways, Metros, Transportation, EPC & Construction, and Urban Infrastructure sectors.
The summit served as a platform for thought leaders to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at shaping the future of urban development. Participants explored new avenues and strategies crucial for the growth and sustainability of the aforementioned sectors. The program also featured a special segment dedicated to celebrating and honoring excellence in the industry, recognizing individuals and entities actively contributing to the sustainable development of Urban Infrastructure on a global scale.
The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary, a renowned technology leader and academician. Prof. Choudhary currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, an institution under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, located in Vadodara, Gujarat. His participation added a valuable perspective to the discussions and underscored the commitment of academia and industry leaders towards advancing the cause of urban development.
Inauguration - Illuminating Ideas for Progress
Lamp Lighting & Inauguration
The event commenced with a symbolic lamp lighting ceremony, featuring esteemed personalities like Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidayala; Prof. (Dr.) Sujeet Mishra, Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management (IRITM); Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Singh, GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research (GLBIMR); Mr. Rajesh Agrawal, Former Member (Rolling Stock), Railway Board, Ministry of Railways; Mr. M. C. Chauhan, Former General Manager (North Central Railways & Metro Railway Kolkata), and Mr. Ashesh Agrawal, Former General Manager, Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, Ministry of Railways. The stage was set for a day of profound discussions.
Welcome Note & Keynote Addresses
Mr. Surya Shah, Vice President of Urban Infra Group, extended a warm welcome, paving the way for keynote addresses by Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary and Dr. Sujeet Mishra, setting the tone for the summit.
Need of talented manpower for the Railways & Transportation Industry
In his opening remark and keynote address, Dr. Choudhary said that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) is creating best in class manpower and talent for the entire transportation and logistics sectors. The GSV is sponsored by the Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India and is mandated to work across railways, shipping, ports, highways, roads, waterways, and aviation etc.
Following a demand-driven curriculum and leveraging state of the art infrastructure of all the Centralized Training Institutes of Indian Railways, the GSV shall create a resource pool of professionals across technology, economics, management and policy comprising multidisciplinary teaching (bachelors/masters/doctoral), executive training and research. GSV shall also undertake training for Indian Railways probationers and serving officers. Being an Industry-driven and Innovation-led university, GSV has a very strong focus on collaborations with leading institutions and industries across the world.
AI-Enabled Marketing in Urban Transport Infrastructure
Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Singh explored the impact of AI-enabled marketing on urban transport infrastructure, providing valuable insights into leveraging technology for development. AI applications in mobility include traffic and logistics forecasts, on-demand bus services, vehicle tracking on transport networks, or self-driving car technologies such as automated valet parking, which is a currently widespread application for AI in cars.
Mumbai's Transformation towards Sustainable Urban Infrastructure
Mr. Anil Salunkhe, Director (Works) - Metro, MMRDA, shared a visionary perspective on transforming Mumbai into a role model for sustainable urban infrastructure. He given a detailed presentation and insights on development of mass rapid transit systems in Mumbai.
Financing the Future - Panel Discussions
Financing of Major Urban Infrastructure Projects
An insightful panel discussion, featuring Mr. Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director, Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Project Director, National Highways for EV (#NHforEV); Mr. Nitin N. Kumar, Director (Transport & Logistics), PwC India and Dr. Namrita Kalsi, Chief Architect, Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) delved into investment landscapes, public-private partnerships, and innovative financing models.
The centre of discussion points were Investment Landscape and Opportunities, Public-Private Partnership Models, Government Initiatives and Funding Mechanisms, Infrastructure Bonds and Capital Markets, Risk Mitigation Strategies and Insurance Solutions, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Global Partnerships, Innovative Financing Models and Alternative Sources of Funding, Role of Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), Smart City Initiatives and Digital Financing Solutions, Socio-Economic Impact Assessment and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Future of Mobility - EVs Driving India
Mr. Abhijeet Sinha presented a compelling vision of India's push towards electric vehicles, paving the way for a dynamic panel discussion on financing major urban infrastructure projects. Agra-Delhi-Jaipur will be a 500 km e-mobility conversion program for National Highways and Express ways into E-Highways in just 90 days with charging stations and public transport fleets. This is aimed at converting traffic from 10% – 30% under the Ease of Doing Business programme. Interestingly, the entire E-Highway is equipped with geo-fencing and will be the first country to get the Anti-Theft System (ATS) for electric vehicle fleets.
Exploring Avenues in Railways & Urban Transport
New Business Avenues in Railways & Urban Transport Sectors
The discussion, guided by Mr. Rajesh Agrawal, Mr. Nanduri Srinivas, Director (Operations & Business Development), Dedicated Freight Corridors Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL); Mr. Anil Jangid, Director, Leap Infraasys; Mr. Hukum Singh Chaudhary, Director (Rail Operations), EGIS India and moderated by Mr. Ashish Singh, Vice President (Business Development), KEC International Ltd, provided insights into technological integration, investment opportunities, and sustainable development in the sector.
The panelists have shared their insights on Current Infrastructure Assessment, Technological Integration, Investment Opportunities, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Sustainable Development, Enhancing Connectivity and Accessibility, Regulatory Framework and Policy Reforms, Safety and Security Measures, International Best Practices and Case Studies.
Unveiling Opportunities in Construction & Heavy Equipment Industry
New Business Avenues in Construction, EPC, and Heavy Equipment Industry
Key figures, including Mr. Rajesh Prasad, Director (Operations), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL); Prof. A. Sanjeeva Rao, National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR), Mr. Jugal Kishore Bhatti, Ex-AGM (Civil), RITES Ltd; Dr. Amita Singh, Head-Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), Systra India, and Mr. Aditya Khakse, Head-Central India, OfBusiness discussed market analysis, innovation, and global market expansion.
The key discussion points of this session included but not limited to Market Analysis and Growth Prospects, Innovation and Technology Adoption, EPC Projects and Opportunities, Sustainable Construction Practices, Supply Chain Management and Logistics, Risk Management and Compliance, Infrastructure Development and Government Policies, Skilled Workforce and Training Programs, International Collaboration and Global Market Expansion, Adapting to Digital Transformation.
Importance of Multi-Modal Transport System
Mr. Jugal Kishore Bhatti, Ex-Additional General Manager (Civil), RITES Limited has delivered an in-depth and very insightful presentation on why Multimodal Transport System is crucial for India to become a $5 Trillion Economy? At present roads are used to transport 70 per cent of the goods. It is necessary to adopt comprehensive methods to reduce it. There is a need to not rely solely on road transport but also water transport, railways and airports which need to be interlinked seamlessly.
Rolling into the Future - Rail Technology and Automation
New Business Avenues in Rolling Stock, Signalling & Automation Industry
Insights from Mr. Devendra Dutta Mishra, Executive Director (Rolling Stock), Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro), Mr. M. C. Chauhan, Mr. Mangal Dev, Head (Green Energy Mobility), Hitachi Rail & Director, Hitachi India and Mr. Harsh Dhingra, Corporate Consultant (Rail & Metro) delved into the current industry landscape, innovative technology, and global collaboration.
The panelists shared their invaluable insights on Current Industry Landscape and Trends, Innovation in Rolling Stock Technology, Next-Generation Signalling Systems, Automation and Digitalization in Rail Operations, Market Opportunities in Urban Rail Transit, Interoperability and Standardization Challenges, Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Solutions, Cybersecurity and Data Protection, Public-Private Partnerships and Funding Models, Global Collaboration and Export Opportunities.
Culmination - Recognizing Excellence
Award Ceremony
The summit concluded with the prestigious Urban Infra Business Leadership Awards 2023, presented by Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary, recognizing outstanding contributions to the urban infrastructure sector. A total of 30 winners were honored with trophy & certificates for their outstanding works in the urban infrastructure sectors including Railways, Metro, Transportation and City Infrastructure.
Vote of Thanks
Mr. Surya Shah expressed gratitude, acknowledging the collective efforts that made the summit a resounding success.
Conclusion
The 3rd Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2023 transcended expectations, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and recognition. The diverse discussions and visionary presentations have undoubtedly ignited ideas that will shape the future of urban infrastructure.
The photographs of URBAN INFRA 2023 can be viewed from here.
The Urban Infra Group takes pride in the success of #UrbanInfra2023, and the summit stands as a testament to the collective efforts dedicated to fostering sustainable urban infrastructure across the globe.
The Urban Infra Group has also announced the date of next eidition i.e the 4th Urban Infra Business Summit & Awards 2024. The tenetative date of the next edition is 27th June 2024 and it will take place in New Delhi, India.
Urban Infra 2023 Video Recordings
If you have missed to attend this prestigious summit and award program, please see the video recording of the entire program.
