Expert Group Meeting on Facilitation of International Railway Transport

Transcription

1 Expert Group Meeting on Facilitation of International Railway Transport March, 2015 Manoj Kumar Srivastava Executive Director / Perspective Planning Ministry of Railways Government of India

2 Inter State Agreements India has Rail Agreements with following countries : Pakistan Bangladesh Nepal

3 Extant practice of Train Operation India - Pakistan Bilateral Agreements exist for interchange of traffic at border stations; - Wagah (Pakistan) Attari (India) and - Kokhrabar (Pakistan) Munabao (India) No break of Gauge issues as both countries have Broad Gauge (1.676 m) Customs, Immigration and health checks conducted at the border stations of the respective countries Standard Wagons used for inter-country traffic Freight/Fare collected for the movement from/to border points of the respective country (paid- to pay basis)

4 Extant practice of Train Operation India - Pakistan The rules for the interchange of rolling stock have been mutually agreed upon Both Railways provide for loco servicing and running room facilities at respective border stations alternatively on six month basis The primary and secondary maintenance of rolling stock provided at Amritsar and Lahore

5 Extant practice of Train Operation India - Nepal Bilateral agreement governs the train operation between India and Nepal for the Broad Gauge link between Raxaul (India) and Birganj (Nepal). Indian Railways provide rolling stock Single waybill for the carriage of goods Train operation done by IR crew Presently Containers of ISO specifications loaded on flat wagons/open wagons are interchanged BCN, BCNA and BCX (Covered wagons) rakes shall also be allowed Basic maintenance of wagons at Birganj Customs facilitation at Raxaul and ICD Birganj

6 Freight Operation India - Bangladesh Working Agreements govern Train operations between India and Bangladesh Broad Gauge links at three locations provide for interchange of traffic viz. 1. Gede-Darshana, 2. Singhabad-Rohanpur and 3. Petrapole-Benapole. Rolling stock in good condition (covered wagons) shall be provided by IR and BR Joint Train Examination in both directions takes place at a single point Customs clearance will be arranged by IR and BR in their respective territory

7 Passenger Train service India - Bangladesh Working of trains governed by the Fundamental and subsidiary Rules and Running Power Agreement for interchange of Traffic Both IR and BR contribute equally towards the rolling stock Locomotives provided by IR and BR in their respective territory Each Railway provides for primary maintenance of its rake. The crews and guards of IR and BR will man the trains in their respective territory Customs and Immigration clearance arranged by IR and BR on their respective border stations Revenue apportionment on KM basis

8 Key challenges in International Railway Transport as identified in the draft framework Congestion and delays at border stations, in particular at the stations at break of gauge; Lengthy procedures for crossing borders Lack of harmonization in the documents required for different countries Inspection on both sides of border crossings Different technical standards for rolling stock, power supply, braking systems and signaling systems Different operating rules and tariff structures Different requirements for train drivers and crew Incompatible or non-existence cross border information and data transmission systems; and Lack of qualified manpower to operate cross border trains

9 Key Measures for improvement International Transportation Standardization of rolling stock and other railway infrastructure Simplification of documentation and other procedures Close coordination among the countries to address Security and Customs related issues Simplified Agreement and standard legal regimes

10 Regional Rail Agreement A Regional Rail Agreement (RRA) for SAARC countries was finalized in the Fifth Inter- Governmental Group on Transport (IGGT) meeting. RRA presents standard governing principles for the SAARC nations and will act as a supplement to the existing bilateral agreements RRA will strengthen transport connectivity in the SAARC Region and provide stimulus to the economic development in the region

11 Regional Rail Agreement OBJECTIVES: To facilitate cross border transportation of goods and people between the Contracting States To facilitate an efficient multimodal transport system for integration of and for sustaining the economic growth and competitiveness of the region To strengthen connectivity and seamless passage of people of the region leading to enhanced trade and intra-regional people-topeople contacts. To establish an effective, efficient, integrated and harmonized rail transportation system in the region To further the economic integration of the region To implement relevant provisions of the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)

12 Regional Rail Agreement Development of missing links/new links - for seamless movement A basic standard of technical characteristics common to all the SAARC countries Standardization of documentation and customs procedure Maintenance and Operating Arrangements Communication facilities Dedicated lines Safety & Security of Trains while in Transit Aim of having common Railway Receipt/ Passenger Ticket for movement on the regional network Visa facilities Multiple entry visa valid for one year for Railway personnel on duty

13 THANK YOU