Minister of Railways launch the Campaign “Innovation Challenges for Indian Railways”

New Delhi

 Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu in a programme held today i.e. on 14.12.2016 at Rail Bhawan launched a campaign innovation challenges for Indian Railways in line with his Budget Announcement 2016-17.  Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain was especially present on the occasion. Chairman, Railway Board, A. K. Mital, Member Traffic, Railway Board Mohd. Jamshed, other Railway Board Members and senior officials were also present on the occasion at Rail Bhawan.         

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that an idea is a perquisite for change and innovative ideas can be borne in mind by anyone whether a stakeholder, a rail user or any other individual. He said that today’s generation is very innovative and technology savvy and the coming time will be completely digitalize. Thus, Railways can be benefitted a lot if innovative ideas are called for from all citizens and implement the chosen for benefit the Railways. He further said that in recently held Rail Vikas Shivir ideas were called for from railway employees only but this Campaign is not only limited to any particular section but from all citizens of the country. He hoped that the public will participate in this Campaign enthusiastically.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain said that this Campaign will be a kind of brainstorming for all. He said that every citizen of the country has lot of potential and can play a great role for development of the nation. He said that this Campaign would be a unique kind of platform which will enable all citizens of the country to improve the functioning of the Indian Railways which is known as lifeline of the nation. He said that every citizen of the country has a personal experience with the Railways as a train journey fascinates everyone, thus he hoped that every citizen will participate in this Campaign with full zeal and zest.

         

CAMPAIGN FOR INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Hon’ble Prime Minister had launched Innovation Challenge at Rail Vikas Shivir, Surajkund on 20.11.2016. The Challenge is open to all Indian Resident Nationals and Companies/Institutions. These challenges were announced by Hon’ble Minister for Railways in Railway Budget 2016 under the ‘Navrachna’ initiative for setting up of ‘Innovation grants to employees, start-ups and small businesses’.

The following five challenges are aimed at promoting innovation in our country by focusing on specific problems being faced by Indian Railways: 

1.         Innovation Challenge for ‘Design of Wagons for efficient loading and transportation of new commodities’.

2.         Innovation Challenge for ‘Easy Accessibility to Trains from Low Level Platforms’.

3.         Innovation Challenge for ‘New Idea/ Suggestion to improve the working of Indian Railways’.

4.         Innovation Challenge for ‘Increasing Passenger Carrying Capacity of Coaches of Indian Railways’.

5.         Innovation Challenge for Developing New Digital Capabilities at the Stations of Indian Railways’.

Six awards will be given to the finalists of each Innovation Challenge as per details given below:

First Award	:	06 lacs (Maximum)
Second Award	:	03 Lacs (Maximum)
Third Award	:	02 Lacs (Maximum)
Three Consolation Prizes (Maximum)	:	01 Lac each (Maximum)

Details of Innovation Challenge viz., participation procedure, terms & conditions, eligibility, guidelines etc are available at website ‘https://innovate.mygov.in/. Last date for submitting the online applications is 20.02.2017 upto 6pm IST.