By SHUBHAJIT Chakraborty

London/New Delhi, March 5 – Railway minister Mamata Banerjee would be soon seen in Britain to ascertain the possibilities of collaboration with industry there on railway infrastructure. According to an official report, British high commissioner Richard Stagg invited Ms. Banerjee to visit UK in early April. However, unofficial sources close to railway minister said Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to visit in April because UK elections are due in May. She would prefer to wait till elections are over.

The invitation is more on the behalf of UK railway industry than an official government meeting. Mr. Stagg visit to Rail Bhawan Delhi was an important attempt to be associated with railway related products and technology of British companies with Indian Railways, the sources said.

A trade forum named the Railway Industry Association (RIA), that’s an organization consist of 140 firms in the UK that supply railway parts and tools all across the world, wants to get associated with Indian Railways. Ms. Banerjee in recent budget indicated that the Indian Railways were eager to partner with private firms.

If Mamata Banerjee goes to UK, she would visit the architecturally exciting St Pancras International station, the complex control room at Euston, the Bombardier rolling stock factory in Derby, the rail accident investigation branch in Woking and perhaps offered a ride on Eurostar to Paris, officials in London indicated today. If Mamata Banerjee accept the invitation. it would be her first overseas trip as railway minister.

Earlier railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav went once to overseas tour. Though his tour was more on relaxation in his hotel room in London and all the work and sightseeing had done by his delegation on his behalf.