While responding to a question regarding India’s earlier offer to sell 500MW electricity, Indian Commerce Secretary SR Rao said that for setting up a 500MW grid station at least one and half years was required. He added for immediate energy trade a technical group would review the possibility to exchange 220 KV transmission line in next six months.
India also showed its willingness to sell five mmcfd gas per day to Pakistan. It extended its cooperation in the areas of wind and solar energy.
Reviving railways
India has also made an offer to meet the requirements of Pakistan Railways by up to 100 locomotives. The issue of availability of sufficient number of rakes for interchange was also highlighted by Pakistan. Islamabad also asked India to allow the procurement of High Capacity Wagon which carry three times more load than regular wagons and can address the issue of arising out of export of cement to New Delhi.
Air links
The Indian commerce secretary said that connecting both capitals via air was very important for normalisation of relations. He added a six-month time line has been set up for opening up and connecting the Islamabad-New Delhi air route. To fast track the process a joint working group is to be formed by mid November, which will work out a more liberalised regime of reciprocal bilateral rights for commercial flights.
For banking channels the banking regulators will exchange the list of branches to be opened in respective countries in the next two months, said Munir. Preliminary discussions were also held on possibilities of better communication linkages keeping in view the requirements of the business community of both India and Pakistan.
While appreciating removal of restrictions on Pakistani investment, Islamabad also sought an explanation on investment through government route and its implications for the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2012.
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@Super sequel: it is. but its because more than 40,000 mw of powerplant are in pipeline and couldnt come up because of protests by the locals or because of policy paralysis by the govt and not because of lack of funds or finance. state company of india ntpc ltd is in full steam to make itself 75000 mw company by 2017 as it is 36000 mw company already and commisioned 4600 mw this year only
Where is the so called Ghairat league of Hypocrites ?
BHEL has expertise in many, many fields. It is considered one of the navratna (nine pearls) of the public sector.
very sensible and mutualy beneficial Ventures. let's pray the Ventures are not sabtaged by hawks on both sides of the border
Isn't India suffering from gas and electric shortages and has a lower penetration rate percentage wise? But I guess yea let both nations work together. If France and uk then same as them
Iam glad that Pakistan and India is going on an techno partnership.BHEL is a pioneer in Solar Photovoltaic in India and also in manufacturing sector. Pakistan will be greatly benefited by this program,Thanks for the post.
"aab aaya uunt pahad ke neche" very soon 70% of goods in Pakistan will be Indian goods. but don't worry made in India is much better than Chinese.it is really worth for money.
Both, Power and Railways new, revamp and upgrades should be considered with Indian companies. BHEL manufactures gas turbines under GE USA licence the Fr5, Fr6 and Fr9 GTs with the turbine shaft, rotors and blades from GE. It is my personal experience on this. On locomotives, it would be much cheaper and better to have it done locally (between India/Pakistan) and have some additional technical expertise developed by our technicians and engineers. No shame in learning from India. In some areas they have much more experience than most of other countries and we should not waste any more time trying to get things done by European and American companies.