The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Industry invited to participate in railway projects

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 12, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Industry invited to participate in railway projects

Special Correspondent

‘Industrialists can adopt a station and provide all amenities’

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s railway stations could soon have world-class amenities, from escalators to drinking water fountains, if the state’s industrialists heed the call of Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu. “Industrialists can adopt a station and provide all amenities. That will be of convenience to passengers,” said the Minister.

He gave the example of Paranur railway station, 44 km north of Chennai, near the Mahindra City Special Economic Zone in Chengalpet district. Infosys and BMW are among the corporate giants who have set up base there.

When the nearby industries asked the Railways to spruce up the station, they were told to see what they could do on their own, Mr. Velu said. They have now built a parking lot, drinking water fountains and a number of other passenger amenities, he said, pointing out this would help not only their own employees, but also the general public.

Even if they did not want to adopt an entire station, corporates could sponsor just a few amenities. “Industries are welcome to participate… We will put up a huge board with your name there and you will be helping the public good,” said Mr. Velu, pointing to the example of a private company, which has sponsored a drinking water fountain at the Chennai Central station.

Escalators are another area where the Minister invited industrial investment. Many passengers appreciate the facility now available at Chennai Egmore, but each escalator costs Rs 50 lakh, he said. If a few industrialists came forward with funding, escalators could be installed at other busy stations in the city and the rest of the State.

Addressing a conclave on ‘Urban and Rural Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth,’ organised by the Tamil Nadu State Council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Velu also encouraged private participation in creating commercial rail infrastructure. Private players could now set up their own Inland Container Depots with the full cooperation of Indian Railways. “I am giving you the land…If you build it, I will provide rail connectivity,” he said. He also invited private players to build godowns, saying there were at least 22 sites available. The Minister said corporates could invest in budget hotels the Railways plans to build on a public-private partnership model in Chennai, Madurai, Rameswaram and Coimbatore.

The ‘invest in your own wagon scheme’ would also provide priority allotment benefits and discounts to participating industries, he said.

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