India and Japan Sign MoU for feasibility study of high speed railway system
ETW Staff – Mumbai
India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake a joint feasibility study of high speed railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. This is in pursuance of the joint statement between Dr. Manmohan Singh, prime minister of India and Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan, that stated that the two sides will co-finance a joint feasibility study of this high speed route. The MoU was signed by Katsuo Matsumoto, director – South Asia Division, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from the Japanese side and Girish Pillai, adviser infrastructure – Ministry of Railways from the Indian side.
The objective of the Joint study is to prepare a feasibility report of high speed railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route with a speed of 300-350 kmph. The cost of the study will be shared equally between India and Japan. The study shall be completed within 18 months from its commencement. The study will do traffic forecasting, alignment surveys and undertake comparative study of high speed railway technology and system.
A joint monitoring committee will also be established comprising of the ministry of railways, planning commission, ministry of finance and the ministry of external affairs from the Indian side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industries (METI), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Embassy of Japan (EoJ) in India and JICA from the Japanese side.
