India-- Austria

India and Austria signed an MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation on Rail and Road

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on 1 October 2012 between Indian and Austria to strengthen the long-term bilateral cooperation and relationship on rail and road infrastructure. The MoU was signed in between C.P. Joshi- the Minister of Railways and Road Transport of India and Highways and the Doris Burse-the Federal Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria during her visit to India.

The identified areas of cooperation as declared by C.P. Joshi are tunnelling technology enhancement, training and skill up gradation like locomotive drivers’ psychological qualification test, track monitoring as well as maintenance. The memorandum also includes provisions of mechanised track laying, traction and rolling stock and telecom and signalling. As per the provisions of the MoU, there has been an agreement on establishing and encouraging relationship for communication and cooperation that is effective and continue for a long term. The understanding also includes exchange of information related to infrastructural development for roads, their management, administration, road safety and different areas of mutual interests that includes intelligent Transport Systems related to road transport technologies.

C.P. Joshi also declared that the Indian Railways foresee safety enhancement plans, modernization and massive capacity augmentation in the coming decade.

There are Austrian companies involved in road and rail development projects across India and few of them are Starbag has been involved in major projects in Delhi and have in hand a Delhi Metro Rail Project that worth Euro 83 million. The company also have a contract of Euro with its Indian counterpart Afcons for making of the Rohtang Pass Tunnel. In making of the bridge in between Jammu and Kashmir also an Austrian company is engaged.

Ministry of Railways, India and Federal Ministry for Transport Innovation & Technology of Republic of Austria signed a MoU in relation to Technologies Specific Cooperation in Railways related projects in October 2011.

India and Austria on 2 October 2012 tied up to develop smart cities that would include fine planning of the city including the transport system and services of internet. The decision came up after the meeting of Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath with Austrian Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation & Technology Doris Bures.

The plans of developing the new cities will be implemented under the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM II). As per the plans initially two model smart cities will be developed in every state of the country that will include the mid-sized cities with a minimum population of half a million to one million.

Every State to have two smart-cities

Austrian Institute of Technology will assist the country in planning and development of the smart cities that will include things that it needs to cover, broadband facilities to its maintenance to carbon levels. As per the plans of the Central Government under JNNURM II every state will have two model towns initially.

70 cities with over a million population graph are in plan

Plans are on the paper to convert at least 70 cities with million plus population in India into smart cities. Austria that has been into different types of trade-relations for a long time with India will be offering the potential technical support.

Organizations involved in project implementation

Austrian Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Urban Affairs that is a research, information and training wing under the Urban Development Ministry, would be the partners in the project.