Dear Shareholders,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Oriental Rail Infrastructure
Limited (ORIL), I am pleased to present the annual report for the
financial year ended March 31, 2025.
It is my privilege to address you all today as the Chairman of ORIL,
and to present the highlights of our Annual Report for the fiscal year 2024-2025. This
past year has been one of transformation, resilience, and progress as we continue to shape
the future of transportation through quality, innovation, and dedication.
During the year, Oriental Rail Infrastructure Limited has
maintained its steady momentum across its core businesses of wagon manufacturing, coach
interiors, and passenger seating systems. We saw healthy demand for our products, backed
by the government's push for infrastructure development and railway modernization.
Through a combination of operational excellence, cost control, and quality improvement, we
were able to improve profitability and strengthen our market standing.
This year's performance is also a reflection of our strategic
discipline-focusing on long-term growth, entering high-potential segments, and deepening
technological capabilities.
A Year of Transformation and Progress
This year has been pivotal for ORIL- not just in terms of financial
performance, but more importantly, in the strides we have made towards transforming our
business into a future-ready, innovation-driven enterprise. Amidst global economic
uncertainties and evolving industry dynamics, we have stayed true to our vision of
delivering high-quality, reliable, and future-centric solutions for the railway sector.
Our core businesses in wagon manufacturing, coach interiors, and rail
seating systems have seen healthy demand and strong execution. We've enhanced
operational efficiencies, strengthened our order book, and further improved our
relationships with key clients including Indian Railways and other OEMs.
Yet, what truly sets this year apart are the strategic breakthroughs
that lay the foundation for the next phase of our growth.
Performance Overview
In a year marked by both global challenges and sectoral transformation,
Oriental Rail Infrastructure Limited has continued to demonstrate strong resilience and
performance. Our commitment to delivering world-class wagons, passenger seating systems,
and components remains unwavering. Our teams have worked diligently to enhance production
capabilities, improve quality, and expand our market presence.
In the past year, Oriental Rail Infrastructure Limited delivered strong
financial and operational performance. The company has been able to achieve total
Standalone turnover of Rs. 15,843.27 lakhs.
In the dynamic landscape of India's infrastructure development,
particularly within the Indian Railways sector, ORIL is resolute in its commitment to
contribute significantly. As the nation intensifies its efforts to expand and modernize
its infrastructure, we at ORIL are dedicated to playing a pivotal role.
With a strategic focus on the Indian Railways, we aim to enhance
connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability across the network
Our initiatives are geared towards integrating cutting-edge
technologies, fostering innovation in railway products, and ensuring robust infrastructure
solutions that align with the evolving needs of the sector.
ORIL recognizes the transformative power of infrastructure development
in driving economic growth and societal progress. We are poised to leverage our expertise,
resources, and partnerships to support India's vision for a modern, efficient, and
interconnected railway network.
At ORIL, we applaud these proactive steps by the government. We are
committed to aligning our efforts with India's vision for a modernized and efficient
railway network. By leveraging our expertise in railway products and solutions, we aim to
contribute significantly to the ongoing transformation of the Indian Railways.
Our focus remains on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions
that meet the evolving needs of the sector. ORIL is poised to support India's
infrastructure goals, ensuring that our railways continue to serve as the backbone of the
nation's transport and logistics network.
As we move forward, ORIL is dedicated to fostering growth, promoting
efficiency, and upholding the highest standards of service excellence. Together with the
Indian Railways and our stakeholders, we look forward to advancing towards a future where
superior infrastructure drives economic progress and societal well-being."
Strategic Developments: Forging the Future
The past year has laid the foundation for transformative change at
ORIL. I am pleased to highlight strategic developments that are pivotal to our future
growth:
1. Wagon Plant Capacity Expansion Scaling for the Future
In response to sustained demand for rolling stock from Indian Railways
and private logistics players, we have officially initiated the expansion of our wagon
manufacturing capacity from 2,400 to 3,600 wagons per annum. This capacity enhancement
will significantly strengthen our ability to deliver larger volumes with improved
efficiency, faster turnaround times, and better cost optimizationsupporting
India's freight modernization goals.
2. Collaboration with UniWagon, Russia Specialized Wagons
for a New Era
We have begun a strategic initiative with UniWagon, Russia, to jointly
explore the development of specialized wagons tailored for emerging market requirements.
This collaboration will allow ORIL to access proven international design capabilities
while leveraging our cost-effective manufacturing ecosystem. The partnership underscores
our commitment to building high-performance, application-specific rolling stock for both
domestic and export markets.
3. Smart Wagon Technology with Hum Industrial
RDSO-Approved Innovation
In a landmark achievement, our wholly owned subsidiary,
Oriental Foundry Private Limited (OFPL), has entered
. into a five-year strategic partnership with Hum Industrial
Technology, Inc. for the deployment of Smart Wagon
Monitoring Systems.
We are proud to share that Indian Railways and RDSO have formally
approved the installation and use of this smart technology.
This system leverages IoT and AI to enable real-time tracking,
predictive maintenance, and operational diagnosticsmarking a major shift toward
intelligent freight mobility.
With this, ORIL becomes one of the first private sector companies
in India to commercially deploy an
Indian Railways- approved smart wagon system a true milestone
for technology-led transformation.
4. Modernization of Foundry Operations Enhancing Capacity
and Efficiency
Recognizing the increasing order volumes and evolving quality
benchmarks, we have commenced a full-scale modernization of our foundry operations at
OFPL.
This initiative includes the deployment of automation, process
digitization, and capacity scaling.
Once completed, it will enable us to deliver faster, higher-quality
cast components and better support our growing production commitments.
This modernization will be a cornerstone for the next phase of
ORIL's growth and will significantly bolster our ability to compete in both Indian
and global markets.
5. Vande Bharat Order: Entering India's High-Speed Future
It is with great pride that I announce Oriental Rail Infrastructure
Limited's formal entry into the prestigious "Vande Bharat" segment. We have
secured our first order worth 42.89 crore from the
Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, Indian Railways. This order is
not only a testament to our technical strength and quality benchmarks but also a gateway
to participating in India's high-speed rail revolution.
This win is not just a business achievementit is national
recognition of our engineering excellence and our alignment with India's ambitious
vision of world-class, high-speed mobility. We are proud to contribute to this iconic
initiative, and we see it as a launchpad for deeper participation in semi-high-speed and
bullet train infrastructure.
Oriental Foundry Private Limited (OFPL): A Standout Contributor
I am proud to share that our Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Oriental Foundry
Private Limited (OFPL), has delivered a strong financial and operational performance
during the year. OFPL continues to be a vital pillar of ORIL, contributing significantly
to our consolidated revenue and production capacity.
OFPL achieved robust growth in the manufacturing of freight
wagons and specialized railway components, with increased capacity utilization and
improved delivery timelines.
The subsidiary successfully executed multiple orders for Indian
Railways and private players, reinforcing its reputation for quality and dependability.
OFPL has also made significant automation and modernizing its
manufacturing facilities, helping boost productivity and reduce turnaround times.
Revenue of M/s. Oriental Foundry Private Limited ("OFPL")
subsidiary company of ORIL has been increased to
45,822.84 Lakhs. The OFPL has successfully bagged orders of Wagons
worth 1,000 Crore for Indian Railways in financial year 2024-2025
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Railways: Unlocking New Horizons
India's railway sector has become an attractive destination for
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with the government
allowing 100% FDI in key areas such as infrastructure, signaling, high-speed rail, and
rolling stock manufacturing.
This is a pivotal moment for companies like ORIL. The liberal FDI
policy is creating opportunities for global collaboration, technology transfer, and
capital infusion, particularly in:
Electrification and modernization of existing railway lines
Developmentofhigh-speedandsemi-high-speedcorridors
Manufacture of advanced wagons, coaches, and smart components
Digital transformation and automation of rail systems We are
actively exploring strategic international partnerships that align with these focus areas.
Our collaboration with Hum Industrial Technology is just the beginning. As FDI flows
increase,ORIL and OFPL are well-positioned to be the preferred local manufacturing and
integration partners for global rail technology companies entering the Indian market.
Growth Opportunities: The Horizon Ahead
The future presents multiple avenues for ORIL's growth, both in
scope and scale. Here are a few strategic growth areas we are actively targeting:
1. High-Speed and Metro Rail Expansion: With over 800 km of high-speed
rail planned and dozens of metro corridors under construction, the demand for modern
rolling stock and interiors is expected to surge.
2. Export Opportunities: Several developing nations are looking to
upgrade their rail networks. ORIL aims to tap into these global opportunities through
strategic partnerships and cost-competitive manufacturing.
3. Smart Railway Infrastructure: The push for IoT-enabled, digitally
managed rail systems presents new avenues for innovation. With our tie-up with Hum
Industrial Technology, we are well ahead on this curve.
4. Private Freight Terminals and Logistics: The increasing
privatization of freight infrastructure presents a unique opportunity for ORIL to design
and supply specialized wagons and components tailored for industrial clients. progress in
improving
5. Green & Sustainable Rail Products: The Indian Railways is
targeting net-zero emissions by 2030. ORIL is investing in eco-friendly manufacturing,
lightweight materials, and recyclable components that support this national goal.
These opportunities, combined with government reforms and rising public
and private investment, will drive the next wave of growth for the company.
Looking Ahead
With a strategic roadmap in place, we are optimistic about the future.
Our goals include scaling our production, and becoming a key contributor to India's
railway modernization effortsincluding metro, semi-high-speed, and high-speed rail.
We will also continue to deepen our partnerships and invest in smart
technologies, such as IoT-enabled components and automation-driven quality control.
Commitment to Sustainability and Responsibility
Sustainability continues to be an integral part of our business
philosophy. We have taken concrete steps to reduce our environmental footprint, enhance
energy efficiency, and maximize resource circularity in our operations.
At the same time, our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts
have focused on education & community development. We believe that true growth is
inclusiveand we are committed to empowering the communities we work with and the
people who make our success possible.
A Word of Gratitude
None of these accomplishments would be possible without the collective
efforts of our dedicated employees, the vision of our leadership team, the trust of our
customers, and the continued support of our shareholders.
To each and every member of the Oriental familyI extend my
deepest thanks. Let us move forward with purpose, with pride, and with a shared commitment
to shaping the future of rail mobility in India and beyond.
Sincerely, |
Saleh N. Mithiborwala |
Chairman & Chief Financial Officer |