New Delhi: At the National Urban Transport & Infrastructure (NUTI) Summit 2025 held in Kochi, Mr. Shantanu Roy, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Ltd, delivered a powerful address, presenting a “bold and future-ready” vision for India’s urban mobility landscape.
Speaking to a high-profile audience of policymakers, transport experts, and government leaders, Roy emphasized India’s evolution into a global leader in sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven transit solutions.
“Mobility is the lifeline of economic growth and the backbone of inclusive development,” Roy stated, calling for a new era of globally benchmarked solutions that serve not only cities but the larger goal of nation-building.
India’s Urban Mobility Transformation: A Global Benchmark
India’s journey in public transport has seen extraordinary progress, especially in the last decade:
Metro coverage increased from 248 km (2014) to 1,013 km (2025) — now the third-largest metro network in the world, soon to become second.
Over ₹2.5 lakh crore (US$28.86 billion) invested in urban rail infrastructure.
Ridership up from 28 lakh to 1.12 crore daily.
2,100+ metro coaches built domestically, showcasing Make in India success.
Pioneering projects:
- Kolkata’s underwater metro tunnel
- Delhi–Meerut RRTS
- Upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper trains
India is setting a new global benchmark, not just in size but in innovation — from solar-powered depots and IGBC-certified stations to next-gen rail technologies.
A Global Pipeline of Opportunity
Mr. Roy highlighted that India’s progress is part of a $5.9 trillion global urban transit pipeline, with cities across the globe — from Shanghai to Dubai, Riyadh to Melbourne — investing in transformational projects.
India is no longer just catching up, he said, but is leading the way with scalable and exportable models of sustainable, affordable, and digital-first mobility.
BEML’s Role: From Manufacturer to Mobility Partner
Under Roy’s leadership, BEML Ltd. has positioned itself as more than just a rolling stock manufacturer. It is now a key partner in shaping the future of urban transit, both in India and internationally.
Key Innovations Highlighted:
- India’s first indigenously designed driverless metro trains
- Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets
- Use of digital twins, predictive analytics, and green manufacturing
- Expansion into global partnerships across Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond
“We are not just building trains, we’re building India’s future mobility ecosystem — one that’s self-reliant, tech-driven, and globally competitive,” Roy concluded.
About BEML Limited
A ‘Schedule A’ Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, BEML operates in three strategic sectors — Defence & Aerospace, Mining & Construction, and Rail & Metro. With a robust manufacturing footprint and R&D base across Bengaluru, KGF, Mysore, and Palakkad, BEML has a legacy of over six decades of excellence in engineering and innovation.
