Date:19/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/04/19/stories/2006041903480900.htm

Back Indian, German Rlys plan to sign MoU on tech transfer

Our Bureau

New Delhi , April 18

The Railways will sign an agreement with the German Railways soon for possible technology transfers, among others.

"The German Railways has worked a lot in public private partnership, property development and linking other business with Railways," said Railway Board Chairman, Mr J.P. Batra, adding that India can invite the German Railways to invest in containerised Railway operations.

The MoU would be signed on April 23-24 during the Indian Prime Minister's forthcoming visit to Germany.

On the Japanese funding in freight corridor project, Mr Batra said, "While offering soft loans, they would like 30 per cent of the loan to be spent on Japanese procurement."

Since requirement of the Indian Railways would be huge, we would like to ensure that we are freed of patent rights on materials procured sooner than later so that the technology can be indigenised and used for local manufacturing and India can export to neighbouring South Asian and African countries, he added. On the organisational structure for the corridor, he said, "To ensure that construction happens fast, we would like it to be on the lines of a PSU."