Indian cabinet approves MoU with Switzerland on collaboration in rail sector

The Government of India’s union cabinet has approved the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Ministry of Railways and Switzerland concerning technical collaboration in the railway sector.

The MoU was signed with the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications of Swiss Confederation for technical cooperation in Rail Sector on 31 August this year.

It is a follow up of the meeting between the then Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu and Swiss Ambassador to India Dr Andreas Baum in July last year.

The MoU will allow the two countries to develop bilateral cooperation in various sectors in railway, including traction rolling stock, emu and train sets, traction propulsion equipment, freight and passenger cars, as well as tilting trains.

"The institute will focus on research and studies related to the field of railway tunnelling and intends to train KRCL’s own personnel."

It will also facilitate technical cooperation in operational improvement, railway electrification, modernisation of rail stations and tunnelling technology.

Simultaneously, a second MoU was signed between Konkan Railway (KRCL) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich to establish the George Fernandes Institute of Tunnel Technology (GFITT) in the Indian state of Goa.

The institute will focus on research and studies related to the field of railway tunnelling and intends to train KRCL’s own personnel.

The Indian railway ministry has signed MoUs for technical cooperation with multiple foreign governments and their respective national railway companies.

The deals help to exchange information on railway development, share technical expertise, and organise training, seminars and workshops.