The Hindu : National : Core operations of Railways to be opened to private sector

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Core operations of Railways to be opened to private sector

K. Balchand

NEW DELHI: Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that even core operations of the Railways would be opened to the private sector.

During pre-Budget interaction with captains of industry and representatives of industrial and commercial organisations, Ms. Banerjee categorically stated that everything in the Railways would be opened to private players, adding that without their cooperation and vision the forward journey of the Railways was not feasible.

The next Railway budget will outline the baby steps the Railways intend to take towards achieving Vision-2020 goals through public-private partnership. Faced with paucity of funds, Ms. Banerjee said the government alone could not be expected to fund the projects. Cooperation of the private sector was necessary to construct railway lines and help run its business.

“Everything in the Railways from A to Z right from preparing programmes to manufacturing its components, to setting up industrial units, and laying tracks needs you cooperation,” she said.

She said the Railways were lagging behind for want of a proper vision and exhorted the private sector to give a new shape to the Railways and come up with their proposals and plan of action for setting up manufacturing units or any work they intend to take up with innovation.

The Railways are going to throw open at least 10 areas for private players including manufacturing of components of diesel and electric engines, wagons, construction of tracks, induction of technology, construction of stations and safetyaspects.

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