In a move that could further ramp up efficiency & reliability of Railway services in India, the Indian railways has renewed its MoU with the Swiss railways.
As per the ministry of railways the MoU renewed and formalized through video-conferencing, received approval from the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of External Affairs.
India’s minister for railways, I&B, Electronics and IT Mr Ashwini Vaishnaw along with Mr. Albert Roesti, Excellency Federal Counselor and Head of Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications of the Swiss Confederation recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance technical cooperation between Indian Railways and Swiss Railways.
Elaborating on the renewed MoU Mr. Roesti in his address explained how Switzerland’s advanced Railway technology will benefit Indian Railway by improving operational efficiency, safety standards, Service quality and railways infrastructure development.
Similarly, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the advantages of the MoU for Indian Railways in various areas, including technology, track maintenance, management and construction, emphasising the Indian government’s commitment to advancing Indian Railways.
The original MoU was signed on August 31, 2017 and was valid for five years. Before the signing of the MoU, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was formed to facilitate collaboration between representatives of Indian Railways and Swiss Railways. The JWG convened two meetings to explore various key areas of cooperation, with sessions taking place on October 21, 2019 and August 30, 2022 said the release from the railways.
The JWG convened two meetings prior to signing the MoU to explore primary areas of discussion, viz.
- Freight and Passenger Cars
- Railway Electrification Equipment
- Railway Station Modernization
- Tunneling Technology
At the third JWG meeting that took place on October 11, 2023, chaired by then Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board, alongside Mr. Peter Füglistaler, Director of the Federal Office of Transport in Switzerland, the Indian side presented ongoing capital expenditure initiatives, highlighting significant investment opportunities in the Indian Railway sector for Swiss firms.
This partnership is set to enhance the efficiency and reliability of Railway services in India, ultimately benefiting passengers and freight operations alike. Notable Swiss companies will supply machinery, materials and tunneling consultancy services, said the release.
Earlier, Mr. Mridul Kumar, Ambassador of India to Switzerland, presented Mr. Roesti with a shawl, symbolizing the warmth of bilateral relations.
