Railways renew agreement with French counterpart SNCF

NEW DELHI: With an aim to use French technology in the proposed high-speed rail corridors, Railways today renewed its agreement with its French counterpart SNCF.

"We signed an MoU with SNCF for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of rail sector such as upgradation of railway stations and high-speed corridors in the country. We will also take help of French expertise to develop modern railway infrastructure," a senior Railway Ministry official said.

The previous agreement signed in 2008 was in force till May 14 last year.

Visiting SNCF officials and senior Railway officials including Chairman Railway Board Vinay Mittal were present at the signing ceremony.

SNCF has been involved in development of fire simulation software for coaches, study of high-speed corridor connecting Ahmedabad-Mumbai-Pune and re-development plan of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal in Mumbai.

Railways have ambitious plan of network expansion, increasing rolling stock production capacity and developing world class passenger terminals.

Under the agreement, a steering committee comprising both the railways will be formed to meet on regular basis to work out roadmaps for cooperation.