In a
bid to provide cutting edge technology, better amenities and services to passengers,
the government may soon start leasing out its passenger corridors and branch
lines to private players on several important routes like Delhi-Mumbai and
Delhi-Howrah. This will be codifying the first step towards privatisation of
the world's fourth largest rail network. The railways will have 150 private trains with 16 coaches each by 2024.
Private operators might even be
allowed to bring in their own loco-drivers certified by the IR for security and
safety reasons. An investment of Rs.
16000 crores is expected from private operators for the privatisation of
trains. There is no doubt that the IR’s
financial capacity continues to be a concern as its earnings have not flourished. The trains are estimated to reach 160 kmph on
some chosen routes. The operators of the trains will be deciding the fares.
The
introduction of private passenger trains, however, is not going to be easy
considering the potential opposition from railway trade unions and political
parties. Though the IR has for the last 13 years allowed private players to
operate container trains on its tracks, the very words “privatisation” and
“private train” are not well received amongst a section of the railway
fraternity. They have to convince its own workers and trade unions that getting
private trains won’t rob them of their jobs.
Yet,
the deployment of 150 technically superior and faster train-sets will give the
IR a facelift. After all, if one Vande Bharat Express had caught the
imagination of the entire nation, imagine what 150 stylish ones will do.
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