Dear Shareholders,
It gives me immense pleasure to address my 3rd Annual
General Meeting as Chairman and present the 24th Annual Report of our esteemed
company. We are at an interesting stage in the development of our country and company
alike and intend to make maximum of the emerging opportunities to grow in a sustainable
way. Despite challenging global market conditions, we?ve showcased remarkable
performance, making this year particularly special as we enter our 25th
foundation year. It?s with immense pride that I share RailTel?s transformation
from an in-house telecom service provider for Indian Railways to one of the nation?s
largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers and a trusted IT & ICT service
provider. With a market capitalization of about Rs15000 crore and growing investor
confidence, we aim for consolidation and further expansion.
Our commitment to enhancing and maintaining our expansive nationwide
network remains unwavering, spanning over 62,000 RKM of high-capacity OFC network along
railway tracks, supported by a citywide access network exceeding 21,000
KM. Reinforced by UPTIME USA certified TIER
III Data Centres, MeitY empanelled cloud i.e. Railcloud,? a
state-of-the-art Security Operation Centre, Network Operation Centres, and a workforce of
over 800 skilled professionals, we are poised for growth. A planned capital expenditure
investment of approximately Rs250 crore for FY 25 will further fortify our vital network.
Results & Progress
I?m thrilled to announce that RailTel has achieved record-breaking
growth once again. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, we posted a total income of
Rs2,622 crores and a total PAT of Rs246 crores, reflecting a remarkable 31% increase in
both turnover and profits compared to the previous year.
Our telecom segment contributed Rs1,265 crores, while the project
segment added Rs1,302 crores to our operating turnover. Notably, for the first our project
income has surpassed our telecom income.
In line with our financial commitments, we have paid Rs82 crores to the
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for license fees and Rs43 crores as revenue share
to Indian Railways. We have also issued an interim dividend of Rs1 per share, equating to
10% of the paid-up share capital, benefiting all our shareholders. Additionally, I am
pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend 18.5%
of paid-up share capital (Rs1.85/- per share) for the financial year 2023-24, subject to
shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM. Our Earnings per Share for the fiscal year
2023-24 stood atRs7.67.
Data Centre and SoC
This is the era of rapid digitalization which has fuelled an
unprecedented demand for data storage facilities as well as proactive cyber security.
RailTel in addition to having various telecom licenses, has two Tier III Data Centres,
MeitY empanelled cloud- RailCloud? and an in-house specialized Security
Operation Centre (SOC). There are very few govt companies in India with this unique mix of
service under one roof. Understanding potential of this, we are actively working on
expanding the capacity of our data centres and cloud infrastructure through strategic
capital expenditure investments.
We have established partnership to set up 102 Edge Data Centres across
country at multiple locations within railway premises/land. This has huge business
potential given the low latency streaming demand rise for OTT platforms, gaming etc. We
are starting to roll out the set ups and this will reflect in our revenues soon.
Furthermore, your company is actively working on establishing another state-of-the-art
data center in Noida in by inviting private investment partnership.
RailTel- Partnering Digital Transformation of Indian Railways
RailTel serves as the digital transformation partner of the Ministry of
Railways undertaking ambitious projects aimed at modernizing Indian Railways like
NIC e-Office solution across 236 units, Public Wi-Fi at
6108stations,IP-basedVideoSurveillanceSystemsat 5000+ railway stations etc. RailTel?s
implementation of the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) across 709 healthcare
facilities of Railways enhances hospital administration and patient care by maintaining
electronic medical records. We?ve developed teleconsultation and beneficiary apps,
seamlessly integrated with HMIS, empowering medical beneficiaries. Integrating HMIS with
the
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) further enhances healthcare
capabilities.
We are committed to creating safer, more and digitally empowered
railway infrastructure, fostering the growth and modernization of Indian Railways. The
invaluable experience gained by RailTel in implementing solutions for Indian Railways is
opening new opportunities across various government departments.
Railway Telecom & Signalling
Railway Telecom & Signalling plays a very crucial role in
operational
Railways. RailTel has core expertise to execute such high-tech
modern projects for improving train operation as well as safety. We are currently working
on a project of replacing the old mechanical signalling with Electronic
Interlocking at 26 stations of Northern Railway. We are also working on installing
Integrated Tunnel Communication System on a number of critical sections of the Indian
Railways network. Recently your company has been entrusted with the work of Implementation
of unified communication infrastructure comprising IPMPLS LAN Infra, VOIP exchange, IP
based control communication and replacement of UTN over Western Railway. Indian Railways
is rapidly modernizing its signalling system with initiatives like LTE-R and Kavach and we
are aiming to become an integral part of this ambitious journey. We have already secured a
project to provide comprehensive Ground Infrastructure
Works for 4G LTE-R over 523 RKM in Secunderabad
Division, South Central Railway. Moving forward, we will focus on
participating in projects related to Kavach and similar safety systems. Recently we have
signed an MoU with Quadrant Future Tek Limited, establishing an exclusive partnership to
aggressively pursue Kavach tenders. Quadrant Future Tek Limited is in the final stages of
RDSO approval as an OEM for the Kavach project. With this partnership we are dedicated to
contributing to Indian Railways? implementation of indigenous safety systems like
Kavach and exploring the potential to proliferate Kavach technology internationally.
RailTel Centre of Excellence Training Centre for Railway
Signalling, Communication and Cyber Security
In order to ensure the availability of competent and skilled manpower
in the field of Railway Signalling, we have launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for
Railway Signalling, Telecommunication and Cyber Security training. In collaboration with
esteemed institutions such as IITs, the CoE will offer a spectrum of certifications and
courses covering pivotal like KAVACH (Automatic Train Protection) and Cyber Security.
Additionally, the CoE intends to serve as the assessment agency for the globally
recognized competency certification of IRSE License, catering to both seasoned Railway
professionals and young engineers.
RailTel as Integrated Telecom Solution and Cyber Security Service
Provider for G20 Summit
The G20 Summit in New Delhi marked a pivotal moment for the country, as
world leaders convened to address various global concerns. RailTel played a crucial role
by delivering integrated telecom solutions at ITPO, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi focusing
on the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam and exhibition halls. This assignment was both a
significant challenge and a prestigious opportunity for the company.
To meet this challenge, RailTel and its partners established
state-of-the-art mobile network infrastructure and a neutral in-building telecom
infrastructure, significantly improving mobile coverage across the 122-acre ITPO campus.
Wi-Fi infrastructure was strategically placed in outdoor corridors and various halls
designated for G20 events, seamlessly integrated with the indoor Wi-Fi infrastructure.
RailTel also addressed cybersecurity concerns by deploying necessary
security solutions to safeguard the network. Additionally, the company provided end-to-end
bandwidth to integrate camera feeds from Bharat Mandapam, Rajghat, New Delhi Parliament
Street, and other locations to the Delhi Police HQ at Jai Singh Marg.
Successful delivery of this project solidifiedRailTel?s position
as a trusted telecom solution provider. The telecom setup at ITPO not only provides a
steady revenue stream from year-round events at Pragati Maidan but also serves as a model
we plan to replicate at other large-scale venues
RailWire
Our retail broadband service RailWire serves 5.70
Lakh subscribers through successful partnerships with more than 10,500
partners. RailWire generated revenue of Rs344 crorein FY 24.
Extending the idea of bringing digital connectivity to all, we have
joined hands with Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) for providing FTTH/FTTX
services across 22 districts of Gujarat via a revenue-sharing model. This agreement aims
to bring broadband connectivity to homes, government offices, health centres, Anganwadi
centres, post offices, and banks in 8080 Gram Panchayats, offering high-speed internet and
Quad Play Services (FTTH, IPTV, OTT, Digital Services). This has good revenue potential
and we are also exploring similar opportunities in other states.
Sectoral footprint
RailTel has a strong presence across multiple sectors, including
Railways, IT, Defense, Health, Mining, Coal, Banking, Smart Cities, Insurance, and more.
We maintain a robust order book valued at about Rs4750 cr, regularly winning multi-crore
bids, mostly through open tendering including orders of Rs556 cr from Railway. In FY 24
alone, we have won orders worth about Rs2870 cr. This shows RailTel?s competitive
edge and its ability to excel even in demanding circumstances.
Recently, we?ve focused on bidding for diversified projects,
gaining opportunities to work on unique initiatives. We have been selected as the Master
System Integrator for Prasar Bharati?s OTT platform.
We have also secured a significant order worth Rs 351.95 crore
(excluding GST) to implement a Health Management Information System (HMIS) for the
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Additionally, we are working with the Directorate of
Geology and Mining, Government of Madhya Pradesh, to implement an AI-based Smart
Enforcement System to curb illegal mineral transportation, with three years of operation
and maintenance.
These projects and such many more are promising, opening doors to
numerous similar opportunities in other organizations/state governments.
Business Beyond Border
Your company is actively seeking business opportunities in Southeast
Asia and Caribbean countries. We?re currently in discussions with Vietnam Railways
for their upgradation projects and other service areas. Our experience in supporting
Indian Railway?s digital transformation and upgradation positions us well for similar
opportunities in developing and underdeveloped nations.
We?ve signed a tripartite MOU with InoviTel (PTY) LTD and Tsiko
Africa Energy & Infrastructure for Tsiko Group. This collaboration allows us to
explore opportunities in telecom, railways, and other IT/ICT sectors in South Africa and
the surrounding region.
This marks a significant step in expanding RailTel?s services
internationally.
Forging Partnerships for Diversification
RailTel has forged strategic partnership with IITM Pravartak for
training on advanced networking, 4G/5G, security etc. We have also signed a MoU with
University of Birmingham for development of Digital Twin for railway operation and
maintenance. Additionally, our collaborations with premiere organizations such as
IIIT-Delhi, AIIMS-Delhi, CDOT, NIC & NICSI, and CDAC aim to introduce innovative
solutions spanning healthcare, IT, and ICT domains.
Human resource
Our greatest strength is our talented and dedicated workforce. We
invest in their continuous development through extensive training programs in areas like
Cyber Security, AI for Business, Public Procurement, Finance, HR, and more. In line with
the government?s Skill Development initiative, we annually welcome apprentices,
offering them valuable training and hands-on experience.
To support our growing operations, we?ve recently added over 140
skilled and dynamic professionals to various teams within RailTel.
Awards & Accolades
In FY 2024, your company achieved remarkable success, earning six
prestigious awards from esteemed organizations like SCOPE, Express Computer, Dun &
Bradstreet, Governance Now, and CMO Asia. Notably, the SCOPE award was presented by the
Hon?ble Vice President of India, Sh. Jagdeep Dhankhar. These accolades highlight
RailTel?s exceptional accomplishments and reinforce our leadership in the industry.
Corporate Governance
At our company, we prioritize strong corporate governance principles,
upholding values of transparency and integrity. To ensure ethical governance, we have
established several committees: Audit, CSR, Nomination and Remuneration, Stakeholder
Relationship, and Risk Management. RailTel adheres to all guidelines from the Department
of Public Enterprises and the Government of India, supporting the Make in India program.
Our commitment to compliance ensures we operate within the regulatory framework,
fulfilling our responsibilities to stakeholders and creating long-term value for our
organization and its community.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the cornerstone of our
commitment to positively impact society while achieving business success. In FY 24,
RailTel allocated an amount of Rs484.49 lakh towards various CSR projects. These
initiatives include our flagship program of Super-30, Operating Sehat
Centre, donating fully equipped ambulance, providing health and
nutrition to children of sex workers, poor women in weaver?s village and other needy
orphaned children. These initiatives reflect our dedication to creating a better world for
future generations while driving innovation and growth within our company.
Acknowledgement
I want to take this moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our
shareholders, members of the Board of Directors, Chairman & CEO of the Railway Board,
as well as the esteemed members and officers of the Railway Board, Zonal railways,
Ministry of Railways, DoT, MeitY, other government departments, and
regulators. Your unwavering support, invaluable advice, and cooperative spirit have been
instrumental in our success.
I also want to express my deepest appreciation to the RailTel team. It
is through their hard work, commitment, and dedication that your company has achieved
remarkable milestones. To all our stakeholders, I reaffirm our commitment to maintaining
our growth trajectory. With your continued support and trust, we will forge ahead,
striving for excellence and delivering value to all.
Jai Hind.
Sd/-Sanjai Kumar Chairman & Managing Director DIN: 06923630