NID Showcases Student-Led Railway Innovations to DRM Ahmedabad

Student innovations at NID spotlight user-centric, future-ready solutions for Indian Railways

• Bilkul Online
• Ahmedabad | 2 May 2026

The National Institute of Design (NID) hosted the Divisional Railway Manager (Ahmedabad), Ved Prakash, for an in-depth review of cutting-edge, student-driven innovations developed under the Railway Design Centre (RDC). The RDC is a collaborative initiative between NID and the Railway Board, aimed at embedding design thinking into India’s railway ecosystem.

The visit underscored the growing importance of user-centric and future-ready solutions, with the RDC now extended until 2035 to continue driving innovation in railway systems.

Design Thinking Meets Railway Transformation

The session began with an overview of NID’s multidisciplinary approach by Dr. Tridha Gajjar, Activity Chairperson (R&D), and RDC Head Namit Sharma. Students from multiple disciplines presented research-backed concepts focused on improving efficiency, accessibility, and passenger experience across Indian Railways.

Among the standout projects were advanced system designs for a Railway Cargo Plus Coach, developed collaboratively by Product Design and Transportation & Automobile Design (TAD) teams under the guidance of Dr. Gayatri Menon. These concepts aim to enhance logistics efficiency while maintaining passenger convenience.

Smart Mobility and Passenger Comfort in Focus

Students also introduced futuristic solutions such as a Porter Cart and an Executive Pod System for high-speed trains. The proposals explored new ways to improve passenger circulation, accessibility, and onboard comfort—key challenges in modern rail travel.

A separate initiative by the Lifestyle Accessories Design (LAD) discipline showcased an Integrated Food Distribution & Collection Trolley, designed to streamline onboard catering services in next-generation train coaches.

Porter Cart Innovation Draws Attention

A major highlight of the visit was the newly developed ergonomic porter cart. Designed to improve parcel handling between platforms, parcel vans, and coaches, the cart focuses on reducing manual strain, enhancing manoeuvrability, and speeding up operations—especially during peak hours.

The DRM expressed strong interest in the porter cart concept and recommended real-world testing. A prototype is now scheduled for field trials at Ahmedabad Junction railway station.

Strengthening Future Collaboration

The visit concluded with a high-level interaction at the Director’s Boardroom, attended by NID Director Dr. Ashok Mandal and Dean Jitendra Singh Rajput. The leadership reaffirmed NID’s commitment to advancing railway innovation through interdisciplinary design.

The Dean highlighted future opportunities involving AI and IoT integration to further enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency.

DRM Ved Prakash emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between designers and railway authorities, noting that such partnerships are essential for building a modern, efficient, and passenger-friendly railway ecosystem.

Bottom Line:
The visit reinforced a shared vision between NID and the Railway Board—leveraging design innovation to transform Indian Railways into a smarter, more efficient, and user-focused transport network.

Kindly Like the shared link and Subscribe our channel for such useful updates. https://youtube.com/shorts/zk6_EUdaObs?feature=share