GMR Infra, Siemens, BEML, L&T Infra, Bharat Forge express interest in running private trains

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways’ proposal to run private trains on its tracks have generated good interest from a multitude of private companies, the rail ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry said a total of 23 players attended a pre-application meeting for running private trains in 12 clusters. They included Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, GMR Infra, Bharat Forge, BEML, L&T Infra and Titagarh Wagon.

The Railways had invited 12 request for qualifications for private participation in operation of passenger train services over 109 origin-destination pairs of routes through introduction of 151 modern trains (rakes) which shall be in addition to the existing trains operated on the network.

This is the first initiative of private investment for running passenger trains over the Indian Railway Network. The project would entail private sector investment of about Rs 30,000 crore.

The private entities for undertaking the project will be selected through a two-stage competitive bidding process comprising Request for Qualification (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP).

The Ministry of Railways has clarified that trains to be operated under the project can be either purchased or taken on lease by the private entities. It has also clarified that risks with regard to operation of trains shall be allocated to the parties in an equitable manner.

The Railways plans to begin private train operations by March 2023, with 12 trains, according to an internal projection. By 2027, the Railways plans to bring in 151 such services.