MoU Signed to Enhance Technical Cooperation Between Indian Railways and Swiss Railways
New Delhi, 29 October 2024: In a significant development for railway services in India, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology, and Albert Roesti, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications of Switzerland, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to bolster technical cooperation between Indian Railways and Swiss Railways. The signing was conducted via video conference.
During the ceremony, Albert Roesti highlighted how Switzerland’s advanced railway technology could greatly benefit India. Minister Vaishnaw underscored the MoU’s potential advantages for Indian Railways, particularly in technology, track maintenance, management, and construction, reaffirming the Indian government’s commitment to enhancing railway infrastructure.
A Joint Working Group (JWG) was established to promote collaboration between representatives from both railway organizations. The JWG held two preliminary meetings to identify key areas for discussion, including:
- Freight and Passenger Cars
- Railway Electrification Equipment
- Railway Station Modernization
- Tunneling Technology
At the third JWG meeting, chaired by the then Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board and the Director of the Federal Office of Transport in Switzerland, the Indian side presented its ongoing capital expenditure initiatives, showcasing significant investment opportunities in the Indian railway sector for Swiss companies.
This partnership is expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of railway services in India, benefiting both passengers and freight operations. Swiss firms are set to supply machinery, materials, and tunneling consultancy services as part of this collaboration.
To symbolize the warm bilateral relations, Mridul Kumar, Ambassador of India to Switzerland, presented Albert Roesti with a traditional shawl during the event.
