Title - Belgium to help India modernise railway stations

New Delhi: Indian Railways on Thursday signed an agreement with Belgium to modernise and make some of the country's railway stations world class, said an official statement. "Indian and Belgian railways will benefit with mutual consultation and exchange of information services on development and modernisation of railway stations," Railway Minister Mukul Roy said after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders, who is also Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs. According to Roy, ties between the countries would strengthen with sharing of design and current practices in railway infrastructure and deputation of experts in areas of mutual interest.The countries have decided to form steering and working groups of experts to determine and define scope and modalities of activities and projects, he said. Roy said Belgian government-owned companies such as Euro Station and Euro Immostar have vast experience in developing stations. "These companies have extensive expertise in transforming historical railway stations into the modern international terminals and the experience gained by them can be emulated in India after suitable adaptation to Indian conditions," he said. Reynders said Indian Railways was a focus sector of his country's economic diplomacy. According to him, several Belgium or Belgium-based companies were already present in India and their activities ranged from fastening and coating of rails to delivery of parts for train construction and software for safety and network management. Indian Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal and Belgium's Ambassador to India Pier Vaesen were present on the occasion.