India to est rail freight corridor with China, Russia

New Delhi, Dec 11: India is evaluating possibilities of establishing a railway freight corridor with China and Russia passing through Myanmar in order to provide a cost-effective logistics solution for the growing trade in the region.

''India's proposed rail links with South East Asian region will soon become a reality as it requires bridging the small gaps existing between India and Myanmar,'' Railway Board Chairman J P Batra, who has become the first non-European to head the aris-based International Union of Railways (UIC), told reporters here today.

From Myanmar, it would become easier to reach out to eastern China and northern Russia in a time-saving and cost-effective manner, he said.

''Once this rail link becomes a reality, container freight operations will become cheaper by 50 per cent as compared to the sea route while the travelling time will also be halved,'' he said.

Between India and Myanmar, there is a gap of only 350 km of rail route, and talks to bridge this gap are under way between the two countries. This route will extend right up to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

''China Railway is already constructing a link with Myanmar that is likely to be completed within three years. China is also having talks with Russia on a possible rail link,'' Mr Batra said, adding that such a rail link would enormously help Indian products to become competitive.

''It makes a very strong business sense because the cost of our products will come down in comparison to sea route,'' he said, pointing out that the UIC could play an important role in realising this objective.

Exuding confidence that a revamped UIC would play a far significant role for the world railway systems, the chairman said the organisation had already approved the proposal of an international freight corridor -- North East West (NEW) Corridor -- connecting China with north-east of America via Norway.

''UIC has already embarked upon the project with the help of a Norwegian company, and this has the potential to revolutionise the world trade through a cheaper transport logistics.'' Mr Batra said the UIC had decided to set up an International Railway Strategic Management Institute in the national capital with help from the Harvard Business School.

UNI