PTI
New Delhi
The Railways on Thursday joined hands with Switzerland for setting up a world class institute offering basic courses in tunnelling in rail and road sectors, a first in the country.
The Railways is involved in some major tunnelling work in the border areas, including Tawang and Kashmir rail network. The current requirement of tunnelling works in India is about 2,750 km.
Konkan Railway Corporation and Hagerbach Test Gallery of Switzerland signed an MoU here for setting up 'George Fernandes Institute of Tunnel Training' at Madgaon in Goa.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, who was present at the MoU signing ceremony, said the institute will impart latest technology in the field of tunnelling.
The institute will facilitate practical training at Swiss facilities for its students. The Swiss will also assist in taking up specialised experiments and tests at the institute, he said.
The minister also asked the institute to draw up an action plan for the future.
"The institute will be equipped with best technology," he said.
