(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM) The Global Heavy Haul Seminar 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, brought together some of the most influential voices in global freight infrastructure. Organized by the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), the two-day event became a platform for collaborative dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic visioning on the future of heavy haul freight.

The event commenced with a high-level address by Praveen Kumar, Managing Director of DFCCIL, alongside senior railway leaders Brij Mohan Agrawal and Naveen Gulati. The leadership collectively emphasized the growing importance of sustainable heavy haul solutions and underlined India’s readiness to contribute to global freight innovation.

In the lead-up to the seminar, DFCCIL welcomed Kari Gonzales, President & CEO of MxV Railways, USA and Chairperson of the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA), and Brandon Riddering, Vice President – Marketing at LORAM, USA. During their visit to DFCCIL’s Corporate Office in Noida, an engaging exchange unfolded around infrastructure strategy, technology adoption, and the evolution of India’s Dedicated Freight Corridors. Gonzales also presented insights into MxV Railways’ global initiatives and IHHA’s role in shaping the future of heavy haul networks.

The seminar officially opened with the unveiling of the Seminar Compendium—a repository of thought leadership and technical knowledge aimed at advancing the sector through research and innovation.

Among the major highlights was the panel discussion “Building the Future of Sustainable Heavy Haul,” featuring leading voices such as Antonio Merheb (MRS Logística, Brazil), Ravi Ravitharan (Monash University, Australia), Robert DiMatteo (Sperry Rail, USA), and Raphael Marotta (Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH). Moderated by Subodh Jain, former Member (Engineering), Railway Board, the panel explored global strategies for resilience, sustainability, and performance optimization in freight infrastructure.

Another compelling session focused on “Emerging Technologies for Real-Time Infrastructure Intelligence,” with presentations by experts from Zetica, Ensco Rail, DMA S.R.L., and Plasser & Theurer. Discussions revolved around real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and data-led infrastructure management.

India’s own experience was showcased in “Modernizing Rail Life-Cycle Management – Indian Case Studies,” where speakers from DFCCIL, Delhi Metro, RDSO, and the Railway Board presented innovative planning and execution models tailored for Indian conditions. Practical insights and scalable strategies highlighted the session’s relevance for both domestic and global stakeholders.

The second day continued with a forward-looking session on “Interface Design, Precision Welding, and Fleet Intelligence,” with participation from engineering leaders representing Pandrol, Holland LP, Getzner Werkstoffe, and Track Machines Connected. The session focused on improving durability and integrating smart technologies in rail operations.

DFCCIL extended appreciation to all participating experts, organizations, and supporting teams for their role in the successful execution of the seminar. The event not only highlighted India’s progress in heavy haul infrastructure but also reaffirmed DFCCIL’s role as a facilitator of global dialogue in the freight sector.

With continued leadership and collaborative intent, the seminar set a strong precedent for international engagement, sectoral innovation, and sustainable freight development—marking another important chapter in India’s logistics transformation journey.