Railways join hands with China to increase train speed

In a significant development, Indian Railways today joined hands with China to increase speed in its existing rail network, modernise stations and enhance mutual cooperation in the sector in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping signed total 12 memorandums of understanding (MoU), including cooperation in rail sector.
Under the MoU for Railways, both sides have agreed to enhance cooperation in the railway sector in speed-raising on the identified route and studying feasibility of cooperation in bullet train projects among others.
The MoU signed by Chairman Railway Board Arunendra Kumar and Administrator of China's National Railway Administration Lu Dongfu also envisages heavy-haul transportation training of Indian Railway personnel and redevelopment of railway stations and setting up of a Railway University in India.

Railways have identified Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore section for speed raising to 160 km per hour with help from China.
As per the action plan on the proposed semi-high speed, China will conduct design and survey for the specified sections and also impart training to railway personnel on speed-raising.

China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group will be coordinating with the High Speed Rail Corporation, a subsidiary of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited on the cooperation on raising speed.
On training of heavy-haul transportation, the two sides have agreed on a training programme for batches of 20 trainees for duration of two-three weeks and a total of 5 batches with maximum of three training programmes in a year.

There will be emphasis on onsite training covering operational and maintenance facilities, monitoring systems and traffic control.
The Beijing Jiaotong University will start the first training programme next month.