Robust regional connectivity to boost India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor

Time of India

02-05-2025

Strengthening
regional connectivity
through
robust rail infrastructure
is essential to minimizing logistics expenses, boosting trade, and advancing collective prosperity throughout Asia including strengthening ambitious
IMEC
, according to experts at a recent panel discussion.
#Pahalgam Terrorist Attack
Pakistan reopens Attari-Wagah border to allow stranded citizens in India to return
Key Jammu & Kashmir reservoirs' flushing to begin soon
Air India sees Pakistan airspace ban costing it $600 mn over 12 months
The panel discussion organised by Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) highlighted the importance of rail connectivity in strengthening
Asian economic integration
.
The event brought together eminent leaders from the Railway Board — including former CEO Jaya Varma Sinha, M. Jamshed (Member Traffic), and R.N. Sunkar (Member Infrastructure) — along with senior representatives from key PSUs -- Vijoy Kumar Singh (
CONCOR
) and Manoj Shrivastav (PRCL), renowned academic Professor C. Raja Mohan, and private sector representative Prasanna Karthik (APSEZ). Together, they offered a wide range of insights into the critical role of railways in driving India's economic growth and strengthening regional integration across Asia.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
3 Reasons to Plug This Into Your Home Today
elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill
Learn More
Shishir Priyadarshi, President, CRF underlined that robust railway infrastructure is vital for India's growth story and deeper economic integration within Asia. Echoing this, Jamshed pointed out, 'Traffic infrastructure is more important than tariff infrastructure,' re-emphasising the importance of railways for sustainable connectivity.
Highlighting the role of connectivity in driving economic growth, Prof Rajamohan emphasised, 'There is a need for greater private sector participation in infrastructure development, especially in the railways, to bring in market-driven efficiency and mobilise additional resources.'
Live Events
Prof Rajamohan further reemphasized that India's 'Greater Vision' for 2047 needs to be more connected. Drawing from the colonial era, he highlighted that railway building is closely linked to nation-building and cited examples from the United States, China, and the USSR to demonstrate how railways played pivotal roles in regional influence.
The discussion also touched upon the importance of the Trans-Asian Railway Network and the role of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC). The necessity of overcoming political barriers was highlighted by Jaya Verma Sinha, who stated, 'The South Asian region is known as the least connected because of artificially created barriers, so we need to defeat political barriers, especially in connecting with Bangladesh.'
Sunkar said, 'There is a misunderstanding that railways are not expanding,' and highlighted ongoing improvements such as tunnelling, land processing, and increased cooperation with state governments.
Bijoy Kumar Singh and P. R. Parhi emphasized the importance of integrating railways with business ecosystems. Singh stated, 'India needs a proper ecosystem to do business, marketing, and finance,' while Parhi noted that 'under GOI, private companies are extending support to countries like Bangladesh.' He also cited a World Bank study from 2022, predicting that by 2040-45, the number of vehicles on roads will increase to unsustainable levels, stressing the need for soft and road linkages.
The discussion also focused on connectivity with West Asia and Southeast Asia. Highlighting IMEC's role, Col. Rajeev Agarwal said, 'IMEC represents a major step in connecting India with the Middle East and Europe. While the virtual trade corridor' deal with the UAE is advancing port readiness, seamless physical connectivity remains a challenge due to the lack of uniform rail gauges and infrastructure standardization.' He further added, 'IMEC is the first India-centric project which has multilateral leadership, unlike China's BRI.'
Manoj S. traced historical precedents, stating, 'The way Chandragupta Maurya made the Chittagong to Khorasan route, and in 120 AD, Kanishka shaped the Old Silk Road, shows the importance of connectivity since ancient times.' He also highlighted the technological gaps and mismatches in rail bogies, stressing the need for harmonization and cross-border training for loco pilots.
Karthik emphasized, 'IMEC cuts through one of the most volatile regions of the world; to bring down time and cost, it is imperative.' He remarked, 'Since customs and procedures need to be met, that can only be done by government authorization. Infrastructure building is in the private sector; therefore, robust rail connectivity in South Asia and IMEC will need a public-private partnership.'
Jamshed concluded, 'Government needs to join hands with the private investors for railway infrastructure development. Myanmar is key to India's Southeast Asia connectivity and the materialization of the Act East Policy in the SEA region. On the other side, for IMEC to succeed, railway lines must be modernized before it takes off.'
Panellists highlighted the imperative of institutional support, private sector involvement, and international cooperation in achieving this objective. The CRF Railway Conclave represents a pivotal forum for shaping the discourse on Asia's railway future and charting a course toward equitable and sustainable development.