Tata, Siemens, Adani, Hyundai Wants To Run Private Trains On 100 Routes; They Will Determine Ticket Fares On These Routes

Indian Railways has recently proposed a plan of allowing private players to run their trains on around 100 routes across the country mainly for tourism purposes. 

In the Budget 2020, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that Indian railways are all said to introduce private trains like Tejas Express to connect tourist places.

The Budget 2020 has allocated Rs 12,000 crore for construction of new railway lines, Rs 2,250 crore for gauge conversion, Rs 700 crore for doubling, Rs 5,786.97 crore for rolling stock and Rs 1,650 crore for signalling and telecom among others for developing the new infrastructure.

Indian Railways’ First Attempt to let Private Companies Run Trains!

The project has received a big cheer from local as well as global companies!

Many global firms including Alstom Transport, Bombardier, Siemens AG, Hyundai Rotem Company and Macquarie have shown interest.

Among the local companies, Tata Realty and Infrastructure, Hitachi India and South Asia, Essel Group, Adani Ports and SEZ, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) are also in the competition to run private trains in the country.

A tough competition for Indian Railways,but  more train bookings available for the public!

How is this Proposal Going to Function?

Indian Railways has prepared a list of 100 routes which have been split into 10 to 12 clusters for the introduction of 150 private trains across India.

Some routes are proposed that will operate the private trains are Mumbai-New Delhi, Chennai to New Delhi, New Delhi to Howrah, Shalimar to Pune, New Delhi to Patna.

The document read, “No similar scheduled regular train will depart in the same origin destination route within 15 minutes of the scheduled operation of the concessionaires (private players) train.”According to Indian Railways, there will be a gap of 15 minutes after the start of journey of such private trains on a route on which even the normal trains will run, so that there will be no delays and stoppage for the private trains. 

The new private will run at a maximum speed of 160 kmph with a minimum of 16 coaches. The maximum number of coaches will differ as per route as they shall not exceed the longest passenger train operating on the respective route. 

The private body will have a deadline on deciding the fare on a particular route. They shall be responsible for financing, procuring, operating and maintaining the trains.