Indian Railways is considering a strategic collaboration with the Swiss railway system to enhance its operational efficiency. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed plans to glean insights from Swiss best practices, specifically focusing on the hub-and-spoke model and advanced tunnelling technology.
Learning from Swiss Excellence: In an exclusive interview with PTI during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the significant learning opportunities arising from potential collaboration with Switzerland. The focus would extend to both modern and conventional railway technologies.
Tunnelling Technology Emphasis: Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of tunnelling technology, citing Switzerland’s expertise showcased in the world’s longest tunnel, the 57-km Gotthard. The minister praised Switzerland’s well-developed track technology, especially commending the unique structure of their tracks.
Hub-and-Spoke Model vs. End-to-End Connectivity: A key observation made by Minister Vaishnaw was the distinctive hub-and-spoke design of Switzerland’s railway network. Unlike India’s emphasis on end-to-end connectivity between distant cities, Switzerland’s model focuses on centralized hubs, such as Zurich, facilitating easy transfers between trains departing simultaneously.
Efficient Inter-Connectivity in Switzerland: Vaishnaw discussed the potential for a memorandum of understanding, praising Switzerland’s seamless inter-connectivity among various transport modes, including trains, buses, cable cars, and metro. Switzerland’s common card or ticket system allows passengers to enjoy hassle-free travel across a dense 5,200-km predominantly electrified railway network.
Inspiration from Japan’s Efficiency: In a bid to enhance efficiency, Indian Railways drew inspiration from Japan’s renowned “7-minute cleaning miracle.” Taking a cue from this, Indian Railways launched its own version—a 14-minute cleaning miracle for the Vande Bharat Express trains on October 1, 2023.
Conclusion: As Indian Railways explores opportunities for collaboration with the Swiss railway system, the aim is to leverage Switzerland’s expertise in the hub-and-spoke model and tunnelling technology. Minister Vaishnaw’s emphasis on learning from global best practices reflects a commitment to enhancing the efficiency and connectivity of India’s railway network.