The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) will provide locally-developed technology gears worth over Rs 2,114 crore to Indian Railways to help the latter reduce dependence on foreign technology, a senior official said.
The Railways Ministry and C-DOT have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for replacing foreign technology gears being used in Indian Railways, the senior official told PTI.
“In financial terms, Railways will use over Rs 2,114 crore worth of C-DOT technologies,” the official said.
Reduced dependency on foreign technologies
C-DOT Executive Director Dr Raj Kumar Upadhyay said that Union Minister for Railways, Communications and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw has asked the organisation to work hard to accelerate the penetration of indigenous technology in the country as well as tap the export market.
He further explained that the partnership will not only reduce the dependency of Railways on foreign technologies but also mitigate security risks.
“We will be able to develop customised solutions as per Railways’ specific requirements at an affordable cost. C-DOT is keen on aligning its indigenous Telecom R&D endeavours with the specific requirements of Indian Railways for meeting the overreaching objectives of national development. This MoU will bring great synergy in meeting specific goals of modernising & expanding nationwide Railways communication networks through C-DOTs indigenously designed technologies,” Upadhyay said.
He pointed out that under the arrangement C-DOT will bring its R&D expertise in designing indigenous technologies and Indian Railways has its vast network for deploying these solutions.
“This will usher in an all-inclusive growth by achieving synergy as envisioned in Gati Shakti programme launched by the Honourable Prime Minister of India,” added Upadhyay.
Atmanirbhar Bharat
Railway Board additional member (telecom) Aruna Singh said that the synergy between C-DOT and the Ministry of Railways will help Indian Railways meet the telecom requirement through C-DOTs indigenously designed and developed technologies.
“All this will strengthen the national networks and boost seamless connectivity which will bolster the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat. C-DOT has developed indigenous solutions for LTE and we hope to utilise these solutions for rolling out services for the proposed 4G network for Indian Railways for high-speed mobile communication corridor,” Singh said.
A senior government official, who did not wish to be named, said that it has been a long-pending and strategic need to go for the locally-developed technology.
“C-DoT agreement with Railways will not only provide a boost to make in India but also provide Railways long term stability and support for its communications system. Now Railways can decide its own technology evolution path with the support of the DoT. There will be a significant reduction in financial burden as the communication technology will be from India,” the official said.
