EU-India Workshop shining example of international cooperation

Creation date: 09 March 2006

The EC-supported EU-India project held its first workshop 2-3 March 2006 in Delhi, India. The event was attended by almost 20 ITS stakeholders from the EU and 40 from India representing public authorities, research institutes and industry. The workshop discussed common interests relevant to both regions regarding EU-India eSafety cooperation and the use of ITS in India to improve road safety.

On the first day of the event, the European delegation took the opportunity to conduct some site visits to the Central Road Research Institute, Delhi Traffic Police, TIFAC (Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council) and NATRIP (National Automobile Testing and R&D Infrastructure Projects). Meetings with these institutes provided an insight into some of the key transport problems in India and current priority areas that could lead to joint cooperation activities. 

A strong European presence  lent its expertise at the workshop on the second day. Representatives of the EC delegation in India, including EC Ambassador to India Francisco Da Camara Gomes and Andrew Sors, Minister Counsellor Head of Science and Technology Section, were also in attendance. Mr Da Camara Gomes gave an opening speech in which he noted that the EU-India eSafety Cooperation was a positive initiative which would benefit both regions. Indian participants included members of the local Delhi government and representatives from Indian industry.

The workshop looked at the possibility for EU-India collaboration on ITS for transport planning and management, including large events as the Commonwealth Games that Delhi is scheduled to host in 2010. The European participants offered beneficial insight from their own experiences in these areas.

As a result of this activity, both the European and Indian interests have paved the way for collaborative efforts and are now establishing a framework for carrying them out. With both regions already present in each others’ markets, the common interest for cooperation is now being taken to a higher level. Large numbers of road fatalities are unfortunately not just a European problem – with over 80,000 road deaths annually in India, authorities are aiming to follow the European example and utilise ITS to help save lives.

For more information, please contact India Project Coordinator Priti Prajapati

To find out more about the EU-India project, its meetings and events, visit the EU-India website.

Speakers at the EU-India Workshop

included EC Ambassador to India

Francisco Da Camara Gomes (far right)