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Railways seek world class image, hurtle toward business tie-ups with France and Japan

Indian Railways have decided to forge new partnerships with the railway sectors of France and Japan. In the last one week, talks were held with delegations in New Delhi.

On Monday, India and France resolved to strengthen cooperation in the railway sector. A declaration of intent was signed in the presence of Railway Minister Nitish Kumar and French minister for transport, public works, housing and tourism, Jean Claude Gassotat.

Under the new agreement, it has been decided to foster business partnership between the administration and companies of the two countries. Investments in joint ventures will be increased by the two countries. The agreement also covers safety measures.

The other important areas of cooperation include increasing the capacity of railway track, maintenance of track, modernisation and rehabilitation of signalling, telecommunications, electrification programmes, rolling stock, traction, information technology and training of railway personnel.

A high-power coordination committee will function in Delhi to ensure implementation the agreement. The contract for design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning of continuous trained control system for the Calcutta Metro Rail had been placed with a French firm and it would soon be operational, the railways said in a statement.

Indian Railways have an ongoing tie-up with Japan. Last week, the Japan-India working group on railways met in Delhi to review the progress made in the sector between the two countries. They agreed to enhance cooperation in the railway sector.

Some operational areas mentioned above had been identified for bilateral cooperation. The governments of the two countries are expected to initiate follow-up action.

Since the establishment of the working group in 1988, Japan had sent experts to train Indians in diverse areas of railway technology.

UNI

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