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By IANS - NEW DELHI
03rd August 2012 12:48 PM
Indian Railways Thursday signed an agreement with
Belgium to modernise and make some of the country's railway stations world
class, said an official statement.
"Indian and Belgian railways will benefit with mutual consultation and
exchange of information services on development and modernisation of railway
stations," Railway Minister Mukul Roy said after signing a Memorandum of
Understanding with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders, who is also
Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs.
According to Roy, ties between the countries would strengthen with sharing of
design and current practices in railway infrastructure and deputation of
experts in areas of mutual interest.
The countries have decided to form steering and working groups of experts to
determine and define scope and modalities of activities and projects, he said.
Roy said Belgian government-owned companies such as Euro Station and Euro
Immostar have vast experience in developing stations.
"These companies have extensive expertise in transforming historical
railway stations into the modern international terminals and the experience
gained by them can be emulated in India after suitable adaptation to Indian
conditions," he said.
Reynders said Indian Railways was a focus sector of his country's economic
diplomacy.
According to him, several Belgium or Belgium-based companies were already
present in India and their activities ranged from fastening and coating of
rails to delivery of parts for train construction and software for safety and
network management.
Indian Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal and Belgium's Ambassador to India
Pier Vaesen were present on the occasion.
Copyright © 2012 The New Indian Express. All rights reserved.
Comments(2)
While planning to modernize rail stations, Indian Railways may do some brainstorming. Take the Chennai and Howrah rail stations. Dozens of tracks start at about Basin Bridge and wind their way to Chennai Central station. Similarly, scores of tracks wind their way from about Santragachi and wind their way to Howrah station. If these tracks were underground, there would be thousands of hectares of prime urban land available for commercial and residential development in these cities. Moving the tracks underground is neither easy nor cheap now. But imagine the amount of development possible now if our engineers can drive piles between tracks, embed and erect RC posts, and spa the area to build multistory buildings on top of the tracks. With more than a dozen platforms and tracks each, Chennai and Howrah stations themselves would accommodate huge multistory structures. One may find out if Belgians can copy the hugely tall structure developments in Dubai.
Posted by Som Karamchetty at 08/04/2012 07:29 Reply to this Report abuse
While planning to modernize rail stations, Indian Railways may do some brainstorming. Take the Chennai and Howrah rail stations. Dozens of tracks start at about Basin Bridge and wind their way to Chennai Central station. Similarly, scores of tracks wind their way from about Santragachi and wind their way to Howrah station. If these tracks were underground, there would be thousands of hectares of prime urban land available for commercial and residential development in these cities. Moving the tracks underground is neither easy nor cheap now. But imagine the amount of development possible now if our engineers can drive piles between tracks, embed and erect RC posts, and spa the area to build multistory buildings on top of the tracks. With more than a dozen platforms and tracks each, Chennai and Howrah stations themselves would accommodate huge multistory structures. One may find out if Belgians can copy the hugely tall structure developments in Dubai.
Posted by Som Karamchetty at 08/04/2012 07:31 Reply to this Report abuse