NITSH KUMAR URGES RAILWAYS TO ADOPT
COST EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
INTERNATIONAL
SEMINAR ON COACHING AND ELECTRIC TRACTION INAUGURATED
Indian Railways should
focus on absorption of cost effective technologies in coaching
and electric traction to provide maximum comfort to the passengers,
said Railway Minister Shri Nitish Kumar here today.
Inaugurating a two-day
International Seminar on "Emerging Trends in Coaching and
Electric Traction in Rail Sector – cost Effective Technologies",
Shri Nitish Kumar said that Indian Railways have made substantial
progress in electric traction and is now capable of manufacturing
state-of-the-art three-phase electric loco indigenously. Emphasizing
the importance of technology, he said that the engineers and planners
should constantly endeavour to develop technologies which will
make the system modern and user-friendly. The Minister pointed
out that the State Electricity Boards are charging exhorbitantly
from Railways which leads to substantial increase in traction
expenses. However, NTPC provides directly electricity at much
cheaper rates. Shri Nitish Kumar further stated that Indian Railways
is exploring the possibility of setting up its own captive power
plant with the assistance of NTPC to meet the internal power requirements.
He said that an MOU has already been signed and a Joint Project
Committee is studying all aspects of this scheme and is expected
to give its recommendation next month.
Speaking on the details
of Rashtriya Vikas Yojana launched by the Prime Minister, recently
Shri Nitish Kumar said that the strengthening of Golden Quadrilateral
Railway network as one of the most important components of the
Yojana will further accelerate modernization and capacity augmentation
of Indian Railways in a big way. The Minister said that with the
implementation of the scheme even goods train can run at a much
higher speed of 100 kmph giving big boost to faster movement of
freight. The Minister also clarified that Indian Railways is making
the best use of both diesel and electric traction and both systems
are vital for the smooth and efficient functioning of Railways.
Shri Nitish Kumar assured the engineers that he will take all
necessary steps to implement the useful suggestions which will
emerge from the seminar. The Minister also released a special
souvenir on the occasion.
Addressing the delegates,
the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bandaru Dattatraya opined
that as the premier transport organization of the country, Railways
should take every possible effort for efficient management of
technologies and absorption of cost effective technology for the
benefit of 13 million passengers served by the system every day.
In his keynote address
Sh. Arvind Sharma, Member Electrical said that Indian Railways
have embarked on the policy of continuous upgradation of technology.
He emphasized on the need to upgrade railway system by adopting
state of the art technologies. Shri Sharma said electric traction
covers 16,000 route kilometers which is nearly 24 per cent of
the total Indian Railway network and is carrying more that 60
per cent of freight and about 50 per cent of passenger traffic
at present. Shri Sharma hoped that the Seminar will focus on ways
and means of designing, maintaining and operating the electric
traction infrastructure for adopting cost effective technology.
Chairman Railway
Board, Shri I.I.M.S. Rana said that technological upgradation
on Indian Railways has been sensitive to the requirement of travelling
public. Shri Rana said that Indian Railways were also making efforts
to provide its products like electric rolling stock to other railway
systems in the world. He said that the cost effective modern technologies
alongwith skilful utilization can go a long way in achieving the
vision of Indian Railways to provide quality service and safe
travel at minimum cost.
During the two-day
Seminar attended by experts from international rail institutions
like UIC and representatives from global transport industries,
technical papers on different topics will be presented by experts
and senior executives from national and international organizations
and industry and other institutions specailising in related field.
The Seminar will conclude with a panel discussion on "Role
of Industry in Development And Adoption Of Cost Effective Technologies".
