3 Union ministries join hands to propel Technology Mission for Railways

Key highlights:

• MoU will facilitate co-financing of TMIR by investment sharing for railway projects
• The funding component of MOR is 30%, MHRD is 25%, DST is 25%
• Research done will help IR provide a safer, more comfortable, hassle-free journey

Three Union ministries have signed memorandum of understanding to facilitate the co-financing of ‘Technology Mission for Indian Railways’, says Ashwani Lohani, chairman, Railway Board, today.

The three ministries which joined hands to propel the Technology Mission for Indian Railways (TMIR) include Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Department of Science & Technology (Ministry of Science & Technology). 

Speaking on the occasion, Ashwani Lohani said, “An MOU is being signed to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between the parties in ‘Technology Mission for Indian Railways’. This MOU will facilitate the co-financing of ‘Technology Mission for Indian Railways’ by investment sharing for identified railway projects for applied research."

"The funding component of MOR is 30%, MHRD is 25%, DST is 25%. This Technology Mission will provide forceful impetus to India’s growth engine on the ‘Make in India’ vision track of the Prime Minister," said Lohani, adding "The indigenous technologies would successfully be developed with win-win scenario to all the consortium members."

Lohani expressed hope that ground-breaking applied research done under the mission will help Indian Railways provide a safer, more comfortable, hassle-free and faster journey to all rail users and will make Indian Railways the world leader.

The Technology Mission for Indian Railways (TMIR) has set up a consortium of these ministries on an investment sharing model for taking up identified railway projects for applied research and use on Indian Railways.

As per this MoU, Ministry of HRD and Ministry of Science & Technology have agreed to fund the TMIR projects to the tune of Rs 75 crore each while Railways and Industries will also contribute to their respective shares.

The mission will take up R&D projects in the areas of heavy haul, safety, energy, environment and urban railways.