China may help to develop Byappanahalli station

The Railways may seek Chinese help to develop railway stations at Bhubaneswar and Bypanahalli in Bangalore. A high-level Chinese delegation is visiting India from tomorrow to understand the Indian Railway system better as part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between both the countries.

The 13-member delegation headed by Wu Wei, Director of Sino-India Railway Cooperation Working Group will visit Agra, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai and Bangalore during their 12-day visit. The Chinese team would meet senior railway ministry officials and visit railway stations at different places during the visit, said a senior railway official.

The two countries' cooperation in rail sector is envisaged in the MoU signed on January 14 during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Beijing. The agreement, valid for three years, envisages development of rail-related programmes of mutual interest. Among others the team would explore the possibilities of cooperation on the proposed high speed corridor, development of railway stations and heavy haul operation, said the official.

The team would visit railway station at Bhubaneswar and Bypanahalli to explore the possibility of developing these stations at the international level.

"After visiting these places, the team would share their views with us about the way to go ahead with the project, said the official. The Chinese team would survey the suburban rail service and the possibility of introducing high speed trains in the Western region during their Mumbai visit. Some members of the team would travel in the driver's cabin of the Shatabdi train while going to Agra to observe the signalling system, speed and track, the official said.

The other areas in which India seeks cooperation of the Chinese Railway include development of multi-modal logistics parks, heavy haul operations and research and development.

The modalities of mutual cooperation is going to be firmed up during the visit, said the official. The Chinese Railways' experience in signalling and telecommunication, traction supply, high axle load operations, design and maintenance practices, track machines, development and operations and multi-modal transport in railway sector would be of benefit to Indian Railway.

About the selection of cities for the Chinese team, the official said we have selected one station each from south, north, east and west.