With the economy limping back to life, Indian Railways has set its project of private train operation in motion for rail projects worth Rs 22,500 crore after the Empowered Group of Secretaries met this week.
The crucial meeting, attended by expenditure secretary, a NITI Aayog member, Railway Board chairman, financial commissioner, member (traffic) and member (engineering) mulled over the move of handing over 100 originating destinations to private players.
Private train operators can lease trains from railways on to begin with and later can have their own. The operators want to bring their own customised trains from the market in the long run.
The maiden attempt by the state-run transporter has evinced keen interest among top companies in infrastructure and transportation sectors, including Tata and Adani groups.
