Mozambique is seeking to deepen cooperation with India to develop urban mobility solutions and modernise its national railway system through access to new technologies, technical assistance and rolling stock, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics (MTL) has announced.
According to a communiqué cited by Lusa, João Matlombe, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, met in New Delhi with representatives of Delhi Metro International and railway engineering firm Rites, on the sidelines of the Sagarmanthan – Great Oceans Dialogue conference.
The meetings aimed to identify opportunities for technical cooperation and investment, particularly in the development of urban transport and the expansion of Mozambique's railway capacity.
During the meeting with Delhi Metro International, the minister was briefed on India's experience in operating, expanding and modernising metropolitan transport systems.
According to the ministry, solutions developed in India could serve as a reference for addressing mobility challenges in Mozambique's main cities, in a context of population growth and rising demand for public transport.
India Signals Readiness to Adapt Locomotives for Southern African Market
Also in New Delhi, João Matlombe met with senior officials from Rites, an Indian company specialising in railway engineering and consultancy services, which has maintained a longstanding cooperation relationship with Mozambique's railway operator, Caminhos-de-Ferro de Moçambique (CFM).
Collaboration between the two entities has encompassed staff training, technical assistance, consultancy, and the supply of rolling stock, including locomotives, wagons, railcars and passenger coaches.
During the meeting, advances in India's railway sector were presented, notably the expansion of electric traction and the modernisation of rail infrastructure.
Indian companies and authorities also expressed interest in adapting part of their locomotive production to the technical specifications of Southern African rail networks, taking into account the region's fleet renewal and expansion needs.
The outreach comes little more than a year after Rites completed the delivery of ten diesel-electric locomotives to CFM under a contract valued at €32.5 million.
At the time, João Matlombe said the equipment represented an investment intended to make Mozambique's rail and port system 'modern, efficient, competitive and ready to serve the national economy and the region'.
The minister also highlighted Mozambique's strategic geographic position, arguing that investment in infrastructure and efficient management could strengthen the country's role as a logistics hub for Southern Africa.
The pursuit of new international partnerships comes as the Mozambican government plans to invest approximately €190 million by 2030 in expanding railway capacity and acquiring equipment for passenger and freight transport.
Projects under consideration include the completion of the duplication of the remaining 25 kilometres of the Ressano Garcia line, which provides the rail link to South Africa, as well as the acquisition of more than 30 passenger coaches, 250 freight wagons and at least 15 mainline locomotives.
Government documents project a 26.6% increase in rail traffic, associated with fleet reinforcement and the full commissioning of rehabilitated or expanded infrastructure on the Ressano Garcia, Matola Gare-Moamba and Machipanda lines.
Cooperation with India could therefore contribute to the sector's modernisation plans, although the ministry has not yet announced any new contracts or investment commitments arising from the New Delhi meetings.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=551325
