RITES signs MoU with Namibia to upgrade railway infrastructure

New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) RITES Ltd, an ISO 9001-2000 multi-disciplinary PSU of Indian Railways, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Namibia's TransNamib Holdings Ltd for upgrading railway infrastructure of the African country.

The MoU was signed during the recent visit of a Namibian official delegation, led by Mr Joel N Kaapanda, Minister of Works, Transport and Communication.

Under the MoU, RITES will provide assistance and expertise in upgrading and rehabilitation of existing railway and other infrastructure, including train control system using GPS-based technology, rehabilitation of old locomotives and supply of new cape gauge rail cars.

In addition, it will provide technical and managerial assistance, advisory services for Public Private Partnership (PPP) and training for commercial and operating staff.

A RITES official said Namibia has planned a new railway line from Tsumeb to Ondangwa and on to Oshakati and Oshikango at the Angolan border. The new line is planned to eventually link to the Angolan railway system at a point near Cassinga. Namibia is served by a busy port, which not only meets its requirement, but also the requirement of Zambia, Botswana and Angola as these are land-locked countries.

Angola does not have a fully developed port for itself. The new railway line would facilitate easy and faster movement of containers to the port.

RITES is internationally recognised as a leading consultant with operational experience in 60 countries in Africa, South East Asia, West Asia and Latin America.

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