JICA supports India for Capacity Development on Railway Safety

New Delhi : Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ministry of Railways (MOR), Government of India (GOI) held 5th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting for Technical Cooperation (TC) project of Capacity Development on Railway Safety to discuss the ongoing progress and future activities. This TC project commenced in December 2018, being jointly implemented by Indian and Japanese side, is expected to result in enhancing capacities of the Indian Railways (IR), Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) and Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) with respect to safety of railways network in India. The Indian railway network is one of the largest in the world, therefore maintenance of safer and reliable operations is of utmost priority.

In 2019, before the Covid-19 outbreak, JICA invited officials from IR, DFCCIL and CRS to attend training programs in Japan, focusing on Track Maintenance, Rail Welding, Rolling Stock Maintenance and Accident Investigation. These training programs in Japan organized by JICA highlighted good practices of Japanese railway maintenance works and Japanese knowledge and experiences for Indian officials. Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, it is difficult for Indian and Japanese side to physically meet and implement the activities together, hence the both sides have been maintaining online discussions. For the same, this JCC meeting was also held on a virtual platform.

At the JCC meeting, the current progress of safety action plans implemented in India based on the learning from various training programs held in Japan and also future action plans were discussed. Indian and Japanese sides have agreed to extend the cooperation period of this TC Project from December 2021 to February, 2022 with an aim to further enhance railway safety in India.

The JCC was Co-chaired by Mr. Ashutosh Gangal, General Manager, Northern Railway cum Project Director of this TC Project and Mr. NAGAI Shinsuke, Senior Representative of JICA India, along with Dr. Makoto Ishida, Chief Advisor of the TC Project.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. NAGAI Shinsuke, Senior Representative, JICA India Office said, “JICA expert team and Indian officials have been communicating and keeping on-line discussions about the safety action plans even under the current Covid-19 pandemic situation. At this JCC meeting, both sides have agreed to extend the cooperation period further up to February 2022 to fully utilize the learnings from the training programs conducted in Japan and make it more effective on the ground. It is hoped that this technical cooperation project would contribute in enhancing safe environment in India and action plans would be functionally implemented to promote safe operations and appropriate maintenance in Indian Railway.”