Japanese Railways is one of the oldest Rail system in the world. Japan is the pioneer in the High Speed Rail ‘Shinkansen’. Japanese Railways has an impeccable record with Safety. Ministry of Railways (GoI) had requested Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for technical cooperation in Rail Safety.

     Responding to Ministry of Railway’s request, MLIT deputed a team of Japanese Railway experts to India to assess incidents of rail breakage and suggest measures to improve safety in train operations. The Memorandum of Cooperation on Railway safety was signed on 17.2.2017 between Ministry of Railways (GoI) and MLIT, Japan.

    The MoC envisages cooperation in Rail Safety on area such as maintenance of Track (welding, rail inspection, track circuit etc.) and rolling stock maintenance. ‘Capacity Development’ has been taken as a Technical Cooperation project under the MoC to develop Indian Railways’ capacity in respect of the above identified areas. These areas have been incorporated in the Terms of Reference of cooperation.

    A Mission from Japan comprising representatives of Japan’s MLIT, JICA(Japan International Cooperation Agency) and railway operators etc. are visiting India from 30.10.2017 to 2.11.2017.

    On 31.10.2017, Hon’ble Railway Minister Mr Piyush Goyal along with CRB and other Board Members has met with the Japanese delegation comprising members of ToR mission and members from the rail related industries.  Japanese delegation was headed by Japanese Ambassador in India H.E. Mr Kenji Hiramatsu. During this occasion, a roundtable discussion was held with the Japanese delegation. Hon’ble MR stressed on the total safety management. He also mentioned that IR is striving for ‘zero accident regime’. Japanese Ambassador in India H.E. Mr Kenji Hiramatsu assured for full cooperation in this area based on the expertise available in Japanese Railways & Industry.

    The roundtable discussion on railway safety and conventional railways was held with following agenda:

i. Accident Investigation

ii. Track

iii. Railway  safety management

iv. Locomotives

    Presentations were made by Japanese Industries on their capability in the field. In addition issues of Station Development, Security Systems and Modal shift from truck to rail in transporting new cars & trucks was also discussed.

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AKS/MKV/ENS