Johannesburg, April 17 (Language) Indian High Commissioner Prabhat Kumar has highlighted the growing interest among Indian companies to increase cooperation in the sector, saying South Africa can benefit from India's experience in railway infrastructure and management.
Addressing industry leaders and members of the CII India Business Forum here on Thursday, Kumar said Indian companies are exploring opportunities to supply railway equipment to South Africa.
He said Texmaco Rail & Engineering is “planning to bring railway wagons from India to South Africa” and is in talks with local companies.
Kumar said RITES, one of India's railway consultancy firms, is engaged in discussions on supplying railway engines to South Africa.
The envoy said that infrastructure development has been prioritized in the recent budgets of both India and South Africa.
India has focused on building infrastructure like railways, ports and airports, he said.
“Every year, we are inaugurating many new airports,” Kumar said.
Referring to India's semi-high-speed train, Vande Bharat, he said the technology could run at speeds of up to 200 km per hour on existing tracks and could be a viable option for South Africa.
“I have been suggesting that South Africa adopt technologies that will not require new infrastructure,” Kumar said.
South Africa is currently carrying out a massive campaign to restore its once thriving passenger and freight rail infrastructure, which has fallen into disrepair in many areas due to years of vandalism and theft of materials.
Kumar said India's first bullet train is expected to begin operating in 2027, but added that such projects are expensive and not feasible for all cities.
“Semi-high-speed trains are the way forward and South Africa should look into it. We have the technology, and using the existing infrastructure the trains will be much easier and faster,” he said.
Highlighting energy cooperation, Kumar said India has achieved round-the-clock power supply for its population and Indian companies are active in South Africa's power sector, including solar projects.
He also highlighted India's progress in digital payments and said visitors are often surprised by the ability to transact instantly even with small vendors.
Kumar said India is negotiating a free trade agreement with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which comprises South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini and expressed hope that the agreement would be finalized soon. PTI FH SCY SCY