Railways renews MoU with Switzerland for technical cooperation

30 Oct 2024 CW Team

The Railways renewed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) of the Swiss Confederation to enhance technical cooperation between the two nations, an official statement said. The MoU, renewed and formalised through video conferencing, received approval from the ministries of Railways and External Affairs, it said.

Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it will provide a comprehensive framework for collaboration to the Indian Railways in various areas, including technology sharing, track maintenance, management and construction, according to the statement issued by the Ministry of Railways said. This MoU also aligns with the government's commitment to modernise the Indian Railways, Vaishnaw said. Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal DETEC Albert Roesti said Switzerland's advanced railway technology will benefit the Indian Railways by improving operational efficiency, safety standards, service quality and railways infrastructure development.

The original MoU, signed on August 31, 2017, was valid for five years and focused on several key areas of collaboration such as traction rolling stock, Electric Multiple Units (EMU) and train sets, freight and passenger cars and tilting trains, the statement said.

"This partnership is set to enhance the efficiency and reliability of railway services in India, ultimately benefiting passengers and freight operations alike. Notable Swiss companies will supply machinery, materials and tunneling consultancy services," it said.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Second Mountain Tunnel Breakthrough in Palghar Advances High Speed Rail

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (MAHSR) project reached a milestone with the breakthrough of a mountain tunnel in Palghar, Maharashtra. Mountain tunnel MT-six measures 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide and will accommodate up and down tracks. The breakthrough follows MT-five near Saphale on second January 2026 and the MT-six excavation was completed from both ends using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method. The ministry reported that the tunnelling was completed within 12 months. The New Austrian Tunnelling Method is favoured for its flexibility in complex geology and irregular tunnel s..

Modi Government Pushes Atmanirbhar Container Drive With BCSL MoU

The Union Government advanced a plan to create an integrated, domestically anchored container ecosystem with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL). The MoU was signed by key agencies including the Shipping Corporation of India and Container Corporation of India alongside major port authorities and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in the presence of senior ministers. The initiative aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026–2..

Ministry Reports Gains In Mobility For Marginalised Communities

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes. Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the Nati..