India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) welcomes the Indian Railway
Budget 2015. IESA has always envisioned electronics to transform India as a nation,
however, Railway Budget 2015 has made it evident with electronics focus in providing
safety, convenience, comfort and information. We believe the steps outlined by the
Hon’ble Railway Minister will motivate to the electronics industry and bring cheers
to the travellers through technology integration.

The budget will also boostentrepreneurship in the electronics with the ministry focusing on new-age technologies through ‘Kayakalp’ to ensure enhanced passenger safety and security, customer service and trade management. We also foresee this railway budget to
motivate “Design-led electronics manufacturing” in India, with innovations and
technology leading the growth of Indian Railways.

The Digital India campaign has also its role to play with the ministry decided to
enable Wi-fi across 400 stations, which would delight 25+ crores smartphone users in
the country. We are elated with the Ministry of Indian Railways’ intent to provide
customer service through special ticket booking device for differently-abled
citizens, automatic ticket vending machines, improved version of online ticket
booking for smartphones, multilingual eticketing facilities, and mount entertainment
devices on Satabdi trains. We also commend the government’s vision to provide
security to the women passengers with enhancing security measures which includes
installation of surveillance camera.

The government’s decision in providing audio based warning at unmanned level
crossing and install warning system to avoid collision displays great vision.
Moreover, the introduction of handheld devices for TTEs will ensure paperless
ticketing and will define another electronics’ role in Swachh Bharat mission.

The electronics industry has received significant motivation from Railway Budget
2015 and definitely, this budget has provided an open invitation to the electronics
industry for joining Indian Railways’ growth path.