Railways seeks Chinese technology for running bullet train

Railways joined hands with China for cooperation in developing high-speed rail corridors in selected routes in the country.

New Delhi: Railways on Monday joined hands with China for cooperation in developing high-speed rail corridors in selected routes in the country.

Besides, Railways will also seek Chinese expertise in carrying out heavy haulage in dedicated freight corridors and developing stations. "We signed a MoU with China for mutual cooperation in rail sector," said a senior Railway Ministry official, adding, "The agreement will remain in force for five years." Chairman Railway Board Vinay Mittal and China`s Vice- Minister of Railways Wang Zhigue signed the agreement. A MoU was signed with China on January 14, 2008 which has since expired. Now an Infrastructure Working Group will be constituted under the India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue to work out details for the future cooperation in the rail sector, the official said. Railways has identified seven routes for exploring possibilities of running high-speed trains known as bullet trains at a speed of about 300 km per hour. Pre-feasibility study has been carried out for five corridors, said the official. Japan is also keen to provide its technology to Railways in high speed rail corridors. Railways plans to take up the proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor on a priority basis as the government has given the in-principle clearance to the project. It is estimated to cost about Rs 60,000 cr to run train at 300 km per hour speed in the proposed corridor. PTI