The Indian Railways has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) of Switzerland to boost up Technological cooperation, track maintenance and enhancement of track infrastructure. This new collaboration revived through video conferencing seeks to capitalize on Swiss know-how in order to enhance the effectiveness, reliability and quality of services offered by Indian Railways.
Memorandum of Understanding outlines a broad cooperation in many fields based on the exchange of technology, track maintenance, management and construction. The relationship is well in line with the latest strategic development plan of the Indian government to modernize railway infrastructure and the total railway transport operations for improving both passengers and freight rail services.
An expert view opinion reflects the expectations that the new technology of railway system from Swiss firm technology will have huge impact on the Indian Railways. The cooperation will be based on a number of strategic sectors including traction rolling stock, electric multiple units, train sets, freight and passenger cars, tilting trains, railway electrification equipment, control and schedules operations, railway stations modernization, integrated transport systems, and tunnelling.
The first version of MoU was signed on August 31, 2017 for the period of five years, However, the focus of the MoU was more or less on similar cooperation domains. The new MoU is another affirmation of the intention to use Swiss efficiency to upgrade Indian rails further. Swiss companies have been expected to provide further support in the machinery and materials for the Indian Railway precast tunnel scheme and tunnelling consultancy services which helps in increasing the efficiency of Indian Railways infrastructure.
The bi-lateral relationship between India and Switzerland can be expected to introduce radical improvements to the Indian Railways. The state of affairs in the aspects of technology sharing and infrastructure should ensure better services for both passengers and cargo carrying activities. Efficiency and reliability in railway services is believed to increase across India following the increased engagement of Swiss companies in the supply of superior technology and execution knowledge.
Benefits
An MoU is all set to provide the following benefits to the Indian railway system. It is centred on technology development, track management, and infrastructure development and the opportunity provides a wide range of factors that can greatly improve the Indian Railway’s technical efficiency, reliability, and high quality service delivery.
Technological Advancement
Among the greatest benefits of this MoU is that it seeks to incorporate new technology in the application of the Indian Railways. In terms of traction rolling stock, new generation electric multiple units (EMU), and modular train sets, today Switzerland boasts of some of the latest railway technology across Europe. Using Switzerland experience, the Indian Railways has to improve the existing technology that will lead to efficient train operation.
Enhanced Train Track Maintenance and Control
Track maintenance plays a critical role in preserving the safety of railway operations and facility structures. The partnership with Switzerland may help introduce better technologies for track maintenance and actually improve the general state of the railway tracks in India. High demand Swiss know-how on signalling and electrification gear as well as efficient train timetable to maximize use track time and minimize time lost to faults and setbacks. This in turn is achieved a more efficient railway operation with the potential to accommodate growing traffic in passengers and freight.
Infrastructure Modernization
Another benefit of the MoU is infrastructure modernization. Swiss knowledge in railway terminal enhancement and combination transport systems may help Indian Railways enhance its services and operations. Implementation of developed technological structures and services in railway stations may help to enhance the passengers’ comfort and attractiveness of railway transport. Continued advances in multimodal transport solutions can help provide better linkages between single and multiple transport modes such as rail, buses, metros among others for better accessibility and mobility.
Enhanced Safety Standards
Safety is always the key concern in railway management, hence successful partnership with Swiss counterparts will place Indian railways on a safety pedestal. The use of the best Swiss technology on areas such as train control systems, signalling and communication make the train operation safer. New technological measures will bring minimal risks of incidents and guarantee the safety of the passengers and other people working on the railway. Moreover, better maintenance and management of tracks reduces the chances of derailment, and other track related mishaps.
Environmental Benefits
Efficiency improvement and application of technologies in the railway systems can also provide improved environmental returns. Specifically, continuous use of EMUs and other low-carbon rolling stock may significantly decrease the railways’ carbon emission, helping India fight climate change. Also, advanced railway stations & structures development can practice water harvesting, solar energy production & waste disposal, and enhance environmental sustainability.
Employment and Economic Growth
The cooperation with Switzerland can contribute to the further development of the economy and provide new work places in India. Railway frameworks, modernization, enhanced technology can create more various direct and indirect employment opportunities. An investment in the construction of new railway projects, construction activities and the maintenance of advanced railway projects provide an opportunity of employment to engineers, technicians and other skilled personnel. In addition, enhancement of railway transport means enhance trade and commerce leading to development of areas that are covered by railways.
Human Resources Development and Technology Acquisition
The MoU has another major benefit whereby skills training alongside the transfer of knowledge could be enhanced. Projects under the cooperation will include training of Indian railway personnel with the help of training programmes and workshops and sharing of know-how by Swiss experts in state of art technologies used in Indian railways. This knowledge transfer can raise technical proficiency of workforce of the Indian Railways so as to manage and operate these advanced railway systems.
DETEC
Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) is federal department in the Swiss federal government that is involved in a number of aspects of infrastructure as well as environmental issues. Since January 2023, it is headed by the Federal Councillor Albert Rösti The strategic direction of provision and development of primary services in is largely influenced by DETEC.
Key Responsibilities
DETEC oversees several critical areas, including:
- Transport: These are critical tasks of modernising, effectively and rapidly operated transport that plays a crucial role in sustainability of population’s well-being and bolstering of Swiss economic growth. They involve the provision of management in railways, roads and air transport.
- Energy: adopting legislation on energy policies of sustainable and modern energy that comprises Energy Act, CO2 Act, Climate and Innovation Act. Today, DETEC tackles such problems as the provision of a secure and sustainable energy supply.
- Environment: On the way of varying, it is possible to note such production as refining of the measures for protection of the environment and ensuring sustainable development. This includes issues such as climate change, biodiversity and pollution.
- Communications: Overseeing and encouraging the systems of communication and media, guaranteeing that media and communication structures in Switzerland fit the people’s and businesses’ demands.
Significant Activities
- Some significant projects reported under DETEC include the New Rail Link through the Alps (NRLA) project involving construction of three long base tunnels and other access corridors. This project shall seek to develop a new efficient link through the alps in a bid to improve on the transport network.
- Spatial development is another area of interest for DETEC, and the ministry is responsible for guaranteeing that spatial planning of the nation will allow only sustainable development. This encompasses equilibrating the require of the urban and rural settlements and use of land in the most efficient manner and control of the natural resource.
Leadership and Structure
Portrait of Albert Rösti Today’s head of DETEC also has vast experience in his work. The department objectives are championed by him in relation to DETEC’s activities and implemented appropriately. Currently, DETEC has over 2,500 full time employees who are posted in the different divisions, charged with the responsibility of handling Switzerland’s infrastructural and environmental policies.
India and Switzerland
On the same note, diplomatic relations between India and Switzerland have been warm and active over the years through several cooperation treaties and standard agreements as well as high diplomacy. The friendly relationship of the two countries encompasses a comprehensive cooperation in the four main areas of trade, science and education, and culture.
Historical Context
The bilateral relation between India and Switzerland was established by signing the Treaty of Friendship on 14 August 1948. Their intercourse elevated to diplomatic relations through this particular treaty. This year has seen the enhancement of the relations through high level of visits and exchange.
Import/export and economic Partnership
- Swiss economy robust in its relations with the Indian economy and India ranks fourth among Asian trading partners of Switzerland. The two countries have signed several bilateral trade and investment relations and most lately was the signing of the TEPA. Switzerland’s export products to India are gold, machinery, pharmaceutical goods, and chemicals; while importation includes chemicals, textiles, gold, and agricultural produce.
- Switzerland has also followed a direct investment route to India with more than 330 Swiss companies present directly in India in form of joint venture, subsidiary or branch office. However, for the two economies this economic cooperation has led to numerous job creations and growth.
Science and Education
India and Switzerland have long standing cooperation in scientific and educational cooperation. Now, the Indo Swiss Joint Research Programme (ISJRP) and the recently launched Swissnex India link the two nations in science, education, art and innovation. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists focus on India while young researchers are given an opportunity to study in Switzerland.
Culture and People to People relations
Promoting of the cultural, educational, scientific, artistic and sporting relations is one of the ways that have enhanced the relation between India and Switzerland. They include the Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Indo-Swiss Centre of Excellence in Pune in fields of activities like water and waste management, renewable energy and low energy buildings etc.
Diplomatic and Political Relations
The India and Switzerland have established its diplomatic relations on the basis of mutual visits by the head of states and their dialogue. Presently, cooperation agreements between two countries are numerous and encompass standard cooperation areas including trade, education, vocational training, visa and migration, air traffic, investment, financing, taxation, scientific and technological cooperation. These agreements have helped improve relations and cooperation between two nations since its inauguration.