IIT Roorkee and CONCOR Collaborate to Advance Logistics through Research and Innovation

IIT Roorkee and CONCOR have signed an MoU to drive research, innovation, and capacity-building in logistics and supply chain management. The partnership aims to advance R&D in these critical sectors.

IIT Roorkee and CONCOR

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and Container Corporation of India Ltd. (CONCOR) have entered into a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive research and development in logistics and supply chain management. This collaboration seeks to promote research, innovation, and capacity-building efforts, with a focus on developing advanced optimization models to improve the efficiency of containerized freight movement across India's vast railway network, particularly within the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC).

The MoU will be effective for five years, with the possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement.  It was signed by Prof. Akshay Dvivedi, Dean of Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy on behalf of IIT Roorkee and Ritu Narang, Senior General Manager (MIS) on behalf of CONCOR. Prof. Amit Upadhyay, in the Department of Management Studies at IIT Roorkee, has a significant role in this collaboration and will be involved in all related research work.

MoU Between IIT Roorkee and CONCOR

Under this MoU, IIT Roorkee will leverage its academic and research expertise to conduct a comprehensive Operations Research study. The study will focus on optimising the loading of Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) on double-stack trains, aiming to reduce container rail haulage costs and enhance inter-terminal movements via rail transhipment hubs. Additionally, the collaboration will work on developing an optimization-based decision support system to streamline the movement of container trains across CONCOR's network.

The MoU also details several initiatives to strengthen industry-academia collaboration. CONCOR will offer internships to IIT Roorkee students, providing them with practical exposure to real-world logistics operations. Both organizations will explore the possibility of establishing jointly funded laboratory facilities and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IIT Roorkee, dedicated to advanced research and development in logistics and supply chain management. Additionally, the partnership will support the creation of specialised courses, workshops, hackathons, and exhibitions to enhance the skills of CONCOR employees and inspire the next generation of logistics professionals.

Sanjay Swarup, Chairman & Managing Director of CONCOR, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with IIT Roorkee, an institution known for its academic excellence and innovative research. This collaboration aligns with CONCOR’s vision to enhance logistics efficiency through advanced research and technology. We look forward to the impactful outcomes of this partnership, which will not only benefit our operations but also contribute to the advancement of India’s logistics sector.”

Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, said, "Our partnership with CONCOR represents a significant step toward bridging the gap between academia and industry. At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to pioneering research that directly impacts national infrastructure and development. This collaboration will enable us to apply our academic strengths to real-world challenges, further solidifying our role as a leader in innovation and research. Through several research initiatives and strategic partnerships, we aim to optimize logistics infrastructure, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency across India, contributing significantly to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and positioning India as a global leader in sustainable development."

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