Indian Railways is planning to run private freight trains along dedicated corridors. This comes even as it is gearing up for private passenger trains, a process delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The aim is to begin privatising freight trains when the first batch of private passenger trains begins operation in 2023. Currently, among freight trains, only private container trains have been allowed to operate in India in limited capacity since 2006.
Confirming the development, Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said that private operators will be brought in once DFCs are ready. Deadline for completion of DFCs is June 2022.
On the routes likely to be auctioned to private players, Anurag Sachan, Managing Director, DFC Corporation of India (DFCCIL) said they would engage first in the 650 km stretch between Palanpur (Gujarat) and Rewari (Haryana). This stretch will be operational this fiscal, he added.
