New Delhi: Algerian Minister for Transport and Co-Chairman of the Indo-Algerian Joint Committee Abdelmalek Sellal on October 10 met Railway Minister Nitish Kumar and discussed with him measures for involvement of Indian Railways in modernising rail services in his country.

Sellal called for participation of Indian Railways through IRCON International Limited and RITES Limited in the massive track electrification programme of 1,200 route km, an official press release said.

Stressing there was immense scope for collaboration between the Railways of both the countries, the Algerian Minister suggested to his Indian counterpart the idea of a joint venture between the two Railways for modernisation and up-gradation of Algerian Railways.

Responding to Sellal's suggestions, Kumar said the two international interfaces of Indian Railways - IRCON and RITES - would take up the challenge of modernisation of Algerian Railways and assured unqualified support to Algeria in this context.

Both the countries also agreed in principle to revive the joint working group on Railways that became defunct in 1993, it said.

Kumar also agreed to consider exporting 400 passenger coaches as Algerian Railways were manufacturing only wagons and not passenger coaches.

IRCON was involved with building Algeria's rail infrastructure in 1980s and 1990s and RITES had participated in consultancy, project management, surveys, modernisation of tracks and electrification of Algerian Railways.

PTI