Deutsche Bahn keen to run high-speed trains

New Delhi: Germany's Deutsche Bahn (DB) is evaluating opportunities to run and maintain high-speed trains in India, said Niko Warbanoff, chief executive officer.

Speaking to ET, Warbanoff said DB has held discussions on bullet train projects. He added that the company is also looking to expand its presence in the Indian market for semi-high-speed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).

"We have held exploratory talks with Indian authorities for high speed projects," Warbanoff said, without elaborating. India's first bullet train corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is being developed with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

DB holds the operations and maintenance (O&M) mandate for Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, handling over 50,000 passengers daily, peaking at 75,000-80,000 during rush days.

On the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) for railways, Niko said DB recently introduced Digital Workforce Management to optimise scheduling, vacation planning, and shift assignments. "The use of AI for Railway O&M is being explored," he said.

DB also has an engineering and consultancy arm in India which recently bagged a general consultant contract from Gurugram Metro Rail Ltd (GMRL). DB (Engineering and Consultancy) partnered with US-headquartered Hill International for the new Gurugram Metro Corridor.

While construction of the 82-kilometre Delhi-Meerut stretch is nearing completion, the Centre has also prioritised Delhi-Gurugram-SNB (Shahjahanpur-Neemrana-Behror)-Alwar, and Delhi-Panipat RRTS corridors. "DB will assess these future corridors for both design consultancy and O&M business opportunities," said Warbanoff.