Rlys begins process to invite pvt players in passenger train operations

Railways on Wednesday formally kickstarted its plans to allow private entities to operate passenger trains on its network by inviting request for qualifications (RFQ) for participation on 109 pairs of routes through 151 modern trains, national transporter said.

project would entail a private sector investment of about Rs 30,000 crore, it said.

This is first initiative for private investment for running passenger trains on Indian Railways network. It began last year with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) introducing Luckw-Delhi Tejas Express.

Currently, IRCTC operates three trains -- Kashi Mahakal Express on Varanasi-Indore route, Luckw-New Delhi Tejas and Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas.

" objective of this initiative is to introduce modern techlogy rolling stock with reduced maintenance, reduced transit time, boost job creation, provide enhanced safety, provide world-class travel experience to passengers," Railways said.

109 origin-destination routes have been formed into 12 clusters across Indian Railway network. Each train shall have a minimum of 16 coaches, it said.

Railways also said that majority of se modern trains are to be manufactured in India as 'Make in India' and private entity shall be responsible for financing, procuring, operating and maintaining trains.

"Trains shall be designed for a maximum speed of 160 kmph. re would be a substantial reduction in journey time. running time taken by a train shall be comparable to or faster than fastest train of Indian Railways operating in respective route," it said.

concession period for project shall be 35 years and private entity shall pay Indian Railways fixed haul charges, energy charges as per actual consumption and a share in gross revenue determined through a transparent bidding process, transporter said.

"se trains shall be operated by driver and guard of Indian Railways. operation of trains by private entity shall conform to key performance indicators like punctuality, reliability, upkeep of trains etc," Railways said.

Operation and maintenance of passenger trains would be governed by standards and specifications, and requirements specified by Indian Railways, it said.

entire process of handing over certain routes to private players will be completed in two parts.

first started on Wednesday with invite for RFQs wherein private bidders will qualify. second step will be Request for Proposal (RFP). details of revenue generation and routes will be decided during latter process.

In pre-COVID times, companies such as R K Catering, Adani Ports and MakeMyTrip and airlines, including Indigo, Vistara and SpiceJet, had shown interest in participating in operating private trains, sources said.

Or players whose attention has been attracted by this are global majors like Alstom Transport, Bombardier, Siemens AG and Macquarie, y said.

Aimed at offering airline-like services to train passengers, national transporter has said that private players, apart from fixing fares, have to also provide facilities like catering, cleaning and supply of beddings to passengers.