A Perspective on Rail Based Transit in South Asia Underlying - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A Perspective on Rail Based Transit in South Asia – Underlying Principles

D.P Pande Asian Institute of Transport Development ( AITD)

 UN ESCAP has highlighted issues related to Border

crossing for Rail Based Traffic.

 Major Bottlenecks have been identified and alternatives

suggested.

 This presentation is for building on the efforts made so

far.

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Two activities are taking place simultaneously

 Building of Physical Infrastructure – the Hardware  Resolving processes of harmonization associated with this

Infrastructure – the Software Part

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Harmonization involves multifarious agencies like

 Customs  Internal Security  Public Health Association  Political Entities  This is true for Each Member Nation

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AITD has been propagating along with UNESCAP- Regional and Sub regional movements to be encouraged

 At present there are only bilateral agreements  No Mention of transit traffic – both for freight and

passenger

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 Turkey, Iran , Pakistan, India , Bangladesh have a contiguous

railway Infrastructure available, there is only one break of gauge

 Attempt is to extend Islamabad- Tehran- Istanbul movement

to Delhi – Dhaka.

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Two studies were conducted

 Transit Facility between third country via India to Nepal  International Containers moving from port to hinterland ICD

within India.

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Transit Arrangement for Nepal Traffic across India

 Goods are brought to a nominated port by sea.  Transshipped into railways wagons.  Customs & other formalities are completed at port  Goods moved by Rail to border between India & Nepal .  Customs Inspections at Border point .  Goods enter Nepal ICD.

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Transit Arrangement for Nepal Traffic across India….Continued

 Underlying principle for Custom clearance are  Copy of export licenses / Letter of credit in advance  Goods are not unloaded at any Domestic Station  Goods cross the border in seal- intact conditions

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Transit Arrangement for Nepal Traffic across India….Continued

 Executions of Bank Guarantee and Bond  Authorized Transporter nominated by the ICD operator

in Nepal.

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Import Traffic entering India for distribution through a hinterland ICD

 Customs permit this movement without checking  Nominated Agency / Authorized Agent required  He is issued a Sub- Manifest – Transport – Permit (SMTP)  Authorized Agent executes a bond  Goods remain under transit up to hinterland ICD

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Merging two examples

 Salient feature are  Import License / Letter of Credit to be available in

advance

 Manifest to be available in advance  Consignment in container with a Custom/

Electronic seal

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Merging two examples

 Salient feature Contd..  Need of an agent to take liability of goods in

transit within National Boundaries – SMTP for Transit

 A mechanism to ensure that consignment crosses

International Boundary without tampering of Seal - RFID- GPS and scanner/any device

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Merging two examples

 Salient feature Contd..  Interface (EDI) between Railway and Customs IT

systems.

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New Development

 India has signed and ratified TIR convention  International Treaty for road transport includes Multi –

Modal Transit also

 Deals with Customs facilitation measures and procedures

across International Borders

 Now e-TIR also being finalized

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India-Pakistan- Iran are co-signatories

 CARNETS are issued and recognized by all signatory

nations

 This will ease Border Crossings for sub-regional

Traffic.

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Contd..

 IRU organization underwrites the risks involved  This concept needs to be established for rail based

system also

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AITD has an MOU with IRU

 AITD is also associated with Asian Railway Association  ESCAP and AITD have a close association  AITD can help in setting up a rail based organization on

the same lines as IRU

 AITD can assist in finalizing a logistic provider

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Use Of Technology

 Implementing Electronic Cargo Tracking  These are seals with RFID / GPS enabled chips  Gives an alert mechanism in case seals are tampered before

destination

 This technology input can streamline transit across boundaries

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Use Of Technology

 Discussion with Custom Authority and Internal security  Need to install Scanners at borders highlighted  Various types of scanners are available

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Use Of Technology(Contd..)

 Advance Information of Goods is essential  Computer interfaces between  Shipper  Logistic provider

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Use Of Technology(Contd..)

 Customs officials  Security officials  Public Health officials  Customers at both ends required.

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Reassess traffic potential on southern corridor of Trans Asian railway

 South-East Asia has potential Traffic  In India alone growth of Automobile Traffic  This growth itself is of 7-8 % YOY

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Summing Up

 Build on Sub regional Transit like Bangladesh- India-

Nepal- Pakistan- Iran – Turkey

 Link to Landlocked countries of Bhutan and

Afghanistan

 Identify a logistic provider

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Summing Up Contd..

 Identify an organization like IRU  AITD can assist in this direction

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Thank you