Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Transport Connectivity in Southern and Central Asia.

Transcription

1 Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Transport Connectivity in Southern and Central Asia. 7-8 Feb 2018 Bangkok, Thailand Ministry of Railways Government of India

2 TAR Routes UN ESCAP study identified three broader routes: Northern corridor: passing through China, Kazakhstan, Mangolia, Russian federation and Korean peninsula; TAR on Indo- China: starting from Chinese border to Laos, Thailand, Malaysia; Southern corridor: connecting Turkey through Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and with Sri Lanka also part of the corridor,

3 South Asia -An Overview In South Asian Region, inadequate infrastructure increases costs of logistics and hampering trade promotion & regional integration Missing links and lack of uniform technical standards are main challenges. TAR a major UN-ESCAP initiative to strengthen rail connectivity between Asia and Europe. Southern corridor extends through South Asian Region. For integration with South West Asia the main constraint is inter-operability of gauge and with South East Asia, mainly the missing links.

4 Connectivity with neighbouring countries TAR Network in India Tamu Mahisasan Gede TAR main link TAR other routes Missing Links Break of Gauge

5 Existing Cross Border Railway links of India With Pakistan via Atari-Wagha and via Munabao-Khokharapar With Nepal via Raxaul-Birganj With Bangladesh via Gede-Darsana, Singhabad- Rohanpur, Benapole-Petrapole and Radhikapur- Birol

6 New Connectivity Projects For connectivity with Bangladesh Agartala - Akhaura New Line (Trans Asian Railways missing link segment) is undertaken. Restoration of rail link between Haldibari- Chilhatti For connectivity with Nepal two projects have been sanctioned: Jogbani-Biratnagar link Jayanagar-Bijalpura Gauge Conversion with extension to Bardibas For Connectivity with Myanmar Jiribam-Imphal new link is under construction and a Survey has also been undertaken for linking Imphal Moreh - This link will connect Indian Railways with Myanmar Railways in future.

7 India Bangladesh Existing Rail Links and New links under implementation Haldibari -Chilhatti Radhikapur-Birol Singhabad- Rohanpur Gede - Darsana Agartala- Akhaura Benapole - Petrapol

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

9 Freight Operation India - Bangladesh Fundamental and Subsidiary Rules for interchange of Railway Traffic and Working Agreements govern Train operations between India and Bangladesh Broad Gauge links at four locations for interchange of traffic viz. 1. Gede-Darshana 2. Singhabad-Rohanpur, 3. Petrapole-Benapole and 4. Radhikapur-Birol Rolling stock in good condition (covered wagons) shall be provided by IR and BR Joint Train Examination in both directions will take place at a single point Customs clearance will be arranged by IR and BR at their respective territory

10 Passenger Train service India - Bangladesh Working of trains governed by the Fundamental and subsidiary Rules Both IR and BR contribute equally towards the rolling stock Locomotives provided by IR and BR on their respective territory Each Railway provide for primary maintenance of its rake. The crews and guards of IR and BR will man the trains over their respective territory Customs and Immigration clearance shall be arranged by IR and BR on their respective border stations

11 Status of India Bandladesh Rail connectivity Projects Akhaura Agartala Railway Link Length: km (Indian 5 km, Bangladesh -10 km) Approximate cost of the project 151 million USD Detailed Engineering Report prepared by IRCON has been accepted by the Bangladesh Railways and Indian Railways

12 Extant practice of Train Operations India - Nepal Bilateral agreement governs the train operation between India and Nepal for carrying third country transit traffic and bilateral traffic on the Broad Gauge link between Raxaul (India) and Birganj (Nepal) is operational 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 are interchanged Basic maintenance of wagons at Birganj Collection of freight by respective agencies over their respective territory Customs facilitation at Raxaul and the Gateway ports

13 Status of India Nepal Rail connectivity Projects Jayanagar (India) to Bardibas(Nepal) New line Project: Length km (2.99 km in India and km in Nepal) - Gauge conversion from NG rail to BG ( Km) and Construction of a new BG line (16.9 Km) Formation and Bridge work in progress in available land. Target date 3 years on receipt of encumbrance free land Jogbani (India) to Biratnagar (Nepal) New Line Project Length km (5.45 km in India and km in Nepal) Formation and Bridge work in progress in available land Target date 2 years on receipt of encumbrance free land

14 India Nepal New Lines Surveyed S.No. From To Distance ( in Kms.) 1 Jogbani (India) Biratnagar (Birat nagar) 18 2 Jayanagar (India) Bijalpura (Nepal ) & extn. to Bardibas 3 Nepalganj Road (India) Nepalganj (Nepal) 12 4 Nautanwa (India) Bhairahawa (Nepal) 15 5 New Jalpaiguri (India) Kakarbhita via Panittanki ( Nepal) 6 Khushinagar (India) Kapilavastu (Nepal) Survey in progress 7 Barhni (India) Kathmandu (Nepal) Survey in progress Projects mentioned in S.No. (1) and (2) are under implementation 69 46

15 India Myanmar Rail connectivity Projects The missing rail link between India and Myanmar is from Jiribam - Moreh (Indian portion) - Tamu Kaley (Myanmar portion) New line project between Jiribam and Imphal (110 Kms. ) is being undertaken by IR. For the balance portion of the missing link on the Indian side between Imphal and Moreh (111 kms), a Survey has also been Undertaken by IR. A Detailed Project Report is being considered for the construction of missing link between Moreh Tamu- Kalay in the Myanmar side

16 Sub-regional connectivity existing and new Rail Links Moreh Sabroom New Line under construction

17 Indo-Myanmar Missing Link MOREH TAMU KALAY

18 Key challenges in Cross Border Railway Transport Complex border-crossing procedures and lack of harmonization in the documents required for different countries Different technical standards for rolling stock, power. Inspections on both sides of border crossings causing delays Different operating rules and tariff structures Different requirements for train drivers and crew Incompatible cross border information and data transmission systems.

19 Development of ICPs (Integrated Check Posts) ICPs are major Infrastructural facilities provided on land borders to improve the trade and passenger movement and also enhancing security The existing infrastructure for discharge of various sovereign functions at these points is neither adequate nor integrated ICPs would function as a single unit and provide coordination among various government agencies ICPs provide facilities for customs, immigration, border guarding forces, plant and animal quarantine, warehousing, banking, etc.

20 Development of ICPs (Integrated Check Posts) The operational ICPs have resulted in increase in trade, hassle-free movement of cargo and passenger Government of India has prioritized implementation of ICPs at certain locations depending on trade volume, passenger traffic, land availability List of ICPs planned: Phase-I (7 locations): - Attari, Agartala, Petrapole, Raxaul, Jogbani, Moreh and Dawki Phase-II (13 locations) - Jaigaon, Sunauli, Rupaidiha, Panitanki, Hili,Changrabandha, Sutarkandi, Mahadipur, Fulbari, Ghojadanga, Bhithamore, Banbasa and Kawrpuichchah

21 Other possible measures for improvement Expanding the railway infrastructure including warehousing and handling yard Expanding Bank and forex facilities Integrated check posts as a single window facility. Adopting fast track cargo clearance system Simplified Agreement and standard legal regimes

22 Regional Rail Agreement Proposes to integrate the region by overcoming the physical and non-physical barriers which include : Development of missing links/new links A basic standard of technical characteristics common to all the SAARC countries. Standardization of documentation and customs procedure Maintenance and Operating Arrangements Safety & Security of Trains while in Transit Aim of having common Railway Receipt/ Passenger Ticket. Visa facilities Multiple entry visa valid for one year for Railway personnel on duty

23 Objectives of the Regional Rail Agreement (RRA) 1. To facilitate cross border transportation ; 2. To facilitate an efficient multimodal transport system ; 3. To strengthen connectivity and seamless passage ; 4. To establish an effective, efficient, integrated and harmonized rail transportation system in the region; 5. To further the economic integration in the region; 6. To implement relevant provisions of the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA);

24 Thanks