Privatization Hits Indian Railways: 90 Railway Stations To Be Handed Over To Private Firms, Based On Airport Model

Indian Railways is now planning to put up 90 train stations and is already in the midst of trying out several options for this. 

What are these options? Read on to find out!

Indian Railways To Privatize 90 Railway Stations

Indian Railways is also observing the arrangements of privately run airports of India which will help determine the security infrastructure as well.

As many as 90 train stations will be operated by private companies. The Indian Railways is also asking all principal chief security commissioners of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and all zonal railways advice on how security infrastructure should be set up.

A letter has been issued which states that the airports’ model of security is contracted by the operator, which is the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) – a government paramilitary unit pays the salaries as well

As per the letter, “The airport operators not only provide and maintain the security infrastructure and equipment at the airports, but also pay for the salary and wages of the CISF personnel deployed there.”

The entire cost of setting upi the security at the airport is taken care of by the airport operators. For this, the Securty Directorate will have to take care of the way security infrastructure, equipment, etc will be provided and maintained at a station under SFM. The letter also states that they will examine if the airport model will be replicated or not.

Security And Access Control Not To Be Given To Private Companies?

The letter also states that the committee that looks over these details has recommended that security and access control services should be kept out of the agreement with the private companies. However, this excludes maintenance of the assets that enable control services.

Two more options have been suggested by the Security Directorate as well. One of them suggests that the SFM should take the “responsibility of provision and maintenance of security infrastructure and equipment along with the cost of manpower including (RPF 50% Government Railway Police)”.

Whereas, the other one states that this responsibility should be shouldered by the Indian Railways instead.

Indian Railways has initiated the privatization of train stations in a public-private partnership (PPP) model in order to give a makeover to some parts of the age old  railway stations. The privatization is being taken care of by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC).

This is still a developing story and we’ll keep you informed as we get any more updates!