Kolkata, April 27: State-run BEML Ltd, leading manufacturer of Rail and Metro coaches, remains focused on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project as "some indigenisation" is expected, an official said on Friday.
"Whatever I understand, a total of 240 coaches would be inducted by 2023 (for the project). Of this, some numbers would be assembled (in India). Initially, I believe it is better to absorb the technology. Some particular Indigenisation will happen and that has not been decided," said company's Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Hota.
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Train Project, popularly referred to as Bullet Train, is an endeavour to bring economic growth and prosperity with the Indian Railways adopting most modern technologies.
"As and when the opportunity comes and particularly, when it comes to us contractually, we would invest. There are various Japanese companies which would primarily be there and we would be talking to them," he said on the sidelines of a programme "Rail connect east, 2018".
The programme was organised by Confederation of Indian Industry in partnership with Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Indian Railways.
According to him, BEML has tied up with Japanese company Hitachi. Another public sector undertakings, BHEL Ltd, has also tied up with Kawasaki.
Hota said: "The government is extremely serious (on the high speed train project) and lot of ground work has happened. Whatever part (of the project) comes out for bidding, we would bid and try to get order.
"We have to be in sync with the government plans... We have the capacity to absorb the technology," he added.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
