Rail Minister Invites Startups to Solve Railways' Tech Challenges via New Portal

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited startups and innovators to engage with the government's new 'Rail Tech Portal' to provide technological solutions for the Indian Railways. He described the portal as the primary digital channel for accepting such solutions, built on a vision where science meets scale and innovation becomes inclusive. At the same event, Vaishnaw also addressed the responsibilities of tech platforms regarding online safety, trust in institutions, and fair revenue sharing for content creators. He warned that if platforms do not act voluntarily on these issues, legal pathways demonstrated by other countries may be followed.

Key Points: Rail Tech Portal: Startups Invited for Railway Innovation

  • Portal is digital way to accept solutions
  • Aims for inclusive innovation
  • Platforms urged on content responsibility
  • Fair revenue for creators needed
  • Vision: science meeting scale
2 min read

Rail Minister urges startups, innovators to join 'Rail Tech Portal' for transformative solutions

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw invites startups to solve Indian Railways' problems via the Rail Tech Portal, a digital platform for inclusive tech solutions.

"I would like to request the startups, innovators... to get associated with the Rail Tech Portal. - Ashwini Vaishnaw"

New Delhi, February 26

Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has invited startups and innovators to collaborate with the government through 'Rail Tech Portal' to solve difficult problems with technology within the Indian Railways.

Speaking at the DNPA Conclave on Thursday, the Minister described the portal as the primary "digital way of accepting solutions." He encouraged anyone with an interest in problem-solving to contribute to the platform.

The Minister invited the startup and innovators' community to engage with the portal's digital framework.

"I would like to request the startups, innovators across the country and all the people who are interested in solving difficult problems with technology to get associated with the Rail Tech Portal. Rail Tech Portal is the digital way of accepting solutions. Any problem that you think is worth your attention. We will be very happy to consider it as a part of the Rail Tech Portal."

The Minister also explained that the initiative is built upon a specific vision of inclusive innovation to drive national achievement.

"The vision of the Prime Minister at the beginning of this Rail Tech Portal is when science meets scale, when innovation becomes inclusive, when technology drives transformation, the foundation of great achievement. So, with this vision, this Rail Tech Portal will move forward"

In the same event, Vaishnaw also spoke on the responsibilities of tech platforms with regard to the internet and the rights of the content creators.

The Minister stated that platforms must wake up to their role in protecting society.

"I will request that platforms must wake up, must understand the importance of reinforcing trust in the institutions which human society has created over thousands of years. Platforms must take the responsibility for the content that is hosted by them," he said.

"The online safety of children, the online safety of all citizens, is the responsibility of the platforms. Non-adherence to these principles will definitely make them responsible because the nature ofthe Internet has changed now," he added.

Talking about the fair revenue system for the content creators, Vaishnaw said, "I will request all the platforms to rethink their revenue-sharing policies because that is also one of the major concerns that the entire society today is raising. If this is not done voluntarily, then there are so many countries which have shown the path to get it done in a legal way."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Hope this portal is truly accessible and doesn't get bogged down in bureaucracy. As a small tech founder in Bengaluru, I've seen good government ideas fail due to slow implementation. Fingers crossed this one is different.
R
Rohit P
The part about platform responsibility is crucial. Social media needs better moderation, especially for our youth. Glad the Minister is highlighting this alongside the innovation push.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the focus on "inclusive innovation." If this portal can actually channel solutions from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and not just the metros, it could be truly transformative for the railways.
V
Vikram M
"When science meets scale" – that's the perfect way to describe India's potential. Our startups have the brains, Railways has the scale. Let's hope for a smooth collaboration. The fair revenue share point for creators is also long overdue.
K
Karthik V
A good step, but execution is key. Will the selected solutions be procured at fair prices? Will there be transparency in the selection process? The intent is noble, but the devil is in the details.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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