Indian Railways Signs MoU with Switzerland’s DETEC for Technological Collaboration

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Oct. Indian Railways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Switzerland’s Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications (DETEC) to strengthen technical cooperation between the two nations. The agreement, formalized through a video-conference, has been approved by the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of External Affairs.

During the signing ceremony, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized that the MoU provides a comprehensive framework for collaboration in areas such as technology sharing, track maintenance, management, and construction. He noted that this initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to modernizing Indian Railways.

Mr. Albert Roesti, the Federal Councilor and Head of DETEC, expressed that Switzerland’s advanced railway technology will enhance Indian Railways by improving operational efficiency, safety standards, service quality, and infrastructure development.

The original MoU, signed on August 31, 2017, had a validity of five years and focused on key areas of collaboration, including:

• Traction Rolling Stock
• Electric Multiple Units (EMU) and Train Sets
• Traction Propulsion Equipment
• Freight and Passenger Cars
• Tilting Trains
• Railway Electrification Equipment
• Train Scheduling and Operational Improvements
• Railway Station Modernization
• Multimodal Transport Solutions
• Tunneling Technology

Prior to the MoU signing, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was established to facilitate collaboration between Indian Railways and Swiss Railways. The JWG held two meetings in 2019 and 2022, focusing on areas such as freight and passenger cars, railway electrification, station modernization, and tunneling technology. The third JWG meeting, held on October 11, 2023, highlighted ongoing capital expenditure initiatives and significant investment opportunities in the Indian Railway sector for Swiss firms.

This partnership is expected to enhance the efficiency and reliability of railway services in India, benefiting both passengers and freight operations. Notable Swiss companies will supply machinery, materials, and tunneling consultancy services to support this initiative.

The event was attended by Mr. Mridul Kumar, Ambassador of India to Switzerland, and other dignitaries.