Leading suppliers from 14 nations to present latest rail technolog

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) Eager to hop on the bandwagon of Indian Railways' phenomenal turnaround, more than 75 exhibitors from 14 countries, including Japan and the US, will showcase their railway technologies, equipment and services at a two-day rail industry exhibition, which gets under way here tomorrow.

Exporail India 2007 is to feature participation by leading foreign and Indian suppliers of the very latest in railway technology and systems, high-speed passenger rail and metro systems and heavy haul freight systems.

Former Railway Board Chairman J.P. Batra, who is a member of the Paris-based UIC (International Union of Railways), will inaugurate the event, supported by the Railway Ministry.

''The exhibition aims to bring together suppliers and buyers at a time when India's mainline rail system is responding to challenges generated by the country's fast-developing economy, and when urban mass transit and metro systems are seen as vital in providing environmentally acceptable mobility in the largest cities,'' said the organisers of the event.

Exhibitors range from train builders, signalling and communications specialists and track suppliers to manufacturers of train maintenance technology and IT specialists.

Foreign firms presenting their capabilities at the show include some of the world's principal rail equipment manufacturers. Among them is the Japanese Overseas Rolling Stock Association, an umbrella body representing leading firms such as Kawasaki, Mitsubishi, Nippon Sharyo, Sumitomo and Toshiba.

Also exhibiting will be a group of 10 companies from France, including Alstom Transport, a global rail systems supplier with extensive capabilities that include production of the TGV high-speed train.

Other overseas countries represented include Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the US, while the largest stand at the exhibition will be occupied by Invensys Rail/Westinghouse Rail Systems from the UK. The company will be presenting state-of-the-art signalling and train control technology, with systems that optimise capacity while guaranteeing safety.

India, wich boasts of a strong and vibrant rail supply industry, will be represented by some of the biggest names from this sector, including BHEL, Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Jindal Steel, Motorola and Larsen&Toubro.

Also exhibiting with a large stand will be the Railway Ministry, which is giving its endorsement and support to Exporail India 2007.

As part of the exhibition, a technical seminar will be organised to address three key themes essential to the development of rail transport in India: heavy haul freight operations, high-speed passenger rail and metro systems.

UNI