By IANS
New Delhi : A 13-member delegation of Chinese Railway officials arrived here Friday to discuss India-China cooperation in the field of railways.
The members of the Indian Railway Board held widespread discussions on rail related issues with the delegation, said railway ministry officials.
India and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in railways Jan 14 this year to “facilitate development of rail-related programmes of mutual interest, consultancies, training and technical assistance”, according to Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.
“Railway signalling, telecommunication technologies, electro-traction supply system, heavy haul operations, rolling stock and cooperation in research and development in the railway sector” are some of the areas of India-China cooperation the minister mentioned in his statement to parliament Thursday.
“The Chinese Railway have made good progress in network expansion, speed raising, modernization and technology upgradation,” the minister said, adding: “Indian Railways would benefit in these areas of cooperation”.
The MoU is for a period of three years.
“The Chinese delegation will visit Agra, Bhubaneswar and Mumbai as well as some other railway centres on their way,” a railway official said.
“They will have a first-hand experience of the Indian railway network functioning and facilities.”