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Medvedev to inspect RZD sci-tech center, discuss modernization

The stimuation of the development and introduction of railway innovative technologies is provided for by the RF Transport Strategy for a period until 2030
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, June 28 (Itar-Tass) - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Friday will chair a session of the Presidium of the Council to the President of the Russian Federation on economic modernization and innovative development. Railway transport will be the subject of discussion, the government press service reported.

Prior to the Council's session, the Head of Cabinet will tour the Scientific and Technical Development Center of the Russian Railways Company (RZD) at the Rizhsky (Riga-bound) railway terminal of Moscow.

Over there, Medvedev will be shown, in particular, a mobile exhibition-and-lecture complex -- a specialized train -- featuring the results of advanced development efforts regarding railways.

The Premier-chaired session will be also attended by presidential aide Andrei Belousov, Vice-Premier Arkady Dvorkovich, Minister of Transport Maxim Sokolov, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, RZD chief Vladimir Yakunin, representatives of other state-run organizations, relevant companies, and institutions of higher learning, as well as Skolkovo residentcompanies. The stimuation of the development and introduction of railway innovative technologies is provided for by the RF Transport Strategy for a period until 2030.

The construction of a network of high-speed railways will be one of the aspects of of the development of this sector. The first such railway, to run from Moscow to Kazan, was announced by President Vladimir Putin at the recent Petersburg international economic forum. The project is expected to be worked out by the first quarter of 2015 and the railway construction proper may be completed, according to various forecasts, in the 2018-2019 period.

Demand for a high-speed railway transport has been also illustrated on the strength of the example of the operation of Sapsan (merlin) and Allegro trains. A high-speed electric train Lastochka (swallow) undergoes testing. The principal purpose of the train will be to carry passengers during the Sochi Olympics.

New locomotives with a reduced consumption of fuel are being developed under orders placed by RZD.