France has offered to help India to upgrade its weather forecasting system and its transport sector, including dedicated freight corridor for fast movement of goods.
The French minister of state for transport, Dominique Bussereau said, ?Meteo-France International and India Meteorological Department (IMD) have signed a letter of intent for availing French expertise in end-user services and management of severe weather events. Indian Railway Board and SNCF International (French Railways) have signed a MoU for promoting bilateral cooperation.?
He said that Farance would help India in modernization of airways, development of ports and transport infrastructure in Delhi.
Meteo-France international is the dedicated agency of Meteo-France for international activities, including technology transfer worldwide. It has an exclusive position in the meteorological world, acting as a unique integrator of all meteorological infrastructure components through a turnkey global project approach.
The first phase of IMD upgradation process to be implemented in two years will aim at strengthening at strengthening the critical information system at the headquarters in Delhi and as well as that in Pune, Kolkata centres.
Bussereau who is leading a business delegation said that India needs to develop its public transport system, including high speed railways, metro railway system and tramways. He said that development of public transport system was necessary with a view to reduce energy consumption and the number of private vehicles-which was necessary for combating climate change. He advocated private sector involvement in public transport system and said that the French companies having expertise would be willing to invest in India.