Insta
A high-speed Talgo train being undergoing trial run on the Delhi-Mumbai route. (Raj K Raj/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
A day after inviting the request for qualifications (RFQ) from private entities for running 151 trains on 109 pairs of routes, Railway Board Chairman V.K. Yadav on Thursday (Jul 2) said the private train operations would begin by April 2023 and the fares in these trains would be competitive with air fares on similar routes.
Addressing a virtual press conference, Yadav said private players in passenger train operations would mean a quantum jump in introduction of modern technology and high-speed coaches.
The improvement in technology would also mean the coaches that required maintenance after 4,000 km, would need maintenance after every 40,000 km, that''s either once or twice a month, he added.
Yadav said the train sets would have to be brought by private operators and maintained by them.
"Private train operations are likely to begin by April 2023. All coaches will be procured under the ''Make in India'' policy. Fares in private trains will be competitive and rates on other modes of transport, like airlines and buses, will have to be kept in mind," he said.
Yadav said the private operators would pay fixed haulage charges for path, stations, access to railway infrastructure and charges for electricity consumed to the Indian Railways for 35 years. It will also share revenue with the Indian Railways through competitive bidding.
The private entity would have to ensure 95 per cent punctuality and not more than one failure per lakh kilometre of travel. "If any performance indicators are not met by private players, they will be penalised," Yadav said.
He also said there would be a power metre in every locomotive and private operators would pay for the actual amount of energy consumed.
"Through this the common man will get better trains, better technology and at low cost. The Indian Railways will continue to run 95 per cent of the trains," he said.
The Chairman said of the 2,800 mail express train operated by the railways, only 151 trains, just 5 per cent, was being given to the private players.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest