INDIA – ALGERIA DISCUSS COOPERATION IN RAILWAYS

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The Algerian Minister of Transport and Co-Chairman, Indo-Algerian Joint Committee, H.E. Abdemalek Sellal called on the Union Minister of Railways, Shri Nitish Kumar here this afternoon and discussed with him measures for participation of Indian Railways in modernizing rail services of Algeria. Mr. Sellal called for participation of Indian Railways through IRCON International Ltd. and RITES Ltd. in the massive track electrification programme of 1200 route kilometres. He suggested to his Indian counterpart the idea of a joint venture between the two railways for modernization and upgradation of Algerian Railways. Besides, the visiting dignitary suggested that there was immense scope for both the railways to collaborate.

Responding, the Indian Minister of Railways said that the two international interfaces of Indian Railways- IRCON and RITES would take up the challenges of modernization of Algerian Railways. He assured unqualified support to Algeria in this context. Both the countries also agreed in principle to revive the joint working group on railways that became defunct in 1993. Indian Railways also agreed to consider exporting 400 passenger coaches as Algerian Railways were manufacturing only wagons and not passenger coaches. IRCON was connected with building rail infrastructure of Algeria in 1980s and 1990s and RITES had participated in consultancy, project management, surveys, modernization of tracks and electrification of Algerian Railways.

The meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, lasted an hour.