A Record of Discussion (ROD), which formalises an agreement reached through a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed on February 17 2017, was signed by Indian Railway Board principal executive director, Mr Shri S K Mishra, and Jica chief representative, Mr Katsuo Matsumoto on August 14.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, the two-year programme will focus on improving safety through track maintenance, including welding, rail inspection, and track circuit, together with rolling stock maintenance.

Representatives of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI), East Japan Railway Company (JR East), West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and Indian Railways Freight (IR Freight) met three times in India between August and November 2017 to work out the details of the agreement.

Northern Railway (NR) and Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) will both benefit from the programme, with the Japanese team working closely with DFCCIL and NR’s safety, civil engineering and rolling stock teams, while 60 technical personnel from India will receive first-hand training in Japan.

A statement from the Indian Government says DFCCIL, which is overseeing the construction of two dedicated freight corridors between Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai, has been included in the safety project so it can use the knowledge when it begins operation, which it is targeting in 2018 and 2019.