Home » Indian Budget » Budget 2006-2007 » Rail Budget 2006-2007 » Railways to Forge Public-Private Partnerships and Public Partnerships

The Railway Minister, Shri Lalu Prasad today invited State Governments, local bodies, ports and private sector to invest in rail projects. Announcing the Railway Budget in Parliament, the Minister promised a level playing field under a transparent policy to investors by further simplifying the policy of public-private partnership. Shri Lalu Prasad also said he will make available many models for public partnerships. Under the new policy, eligible rail projects will be awarded through open bidding to make the entire process competitive and transparent. The present investment of few a thousand crore rupees will be expanded by increasing the extent of this partnership many times over.

Highlighting further the extent of partnerships, the Railways were seeking, the Minister called upon State Governments and local bodies to share in the construction work of Rail Over Bridges (ROB) projects. At present, Railways are constructing 500 ROBs on cost sharing basis with many State Governments. The Minister assured the House that the Railways will not lag behind in providing its share of Rs. 7500 crores required for construction of over 1,000 ROBs.

Shri Lalu Prasad said that policy of allowing private parties to run container trains has been well received. He said all the eligible applicants will be permitted to run container trains before 31st March of this year. On the Wagon Investment Scheme announced last year, the Minister said so far proposals have been received for many manufacturing 25 rakes at an investment of Rs. 250 crore.

Source: http://pib.nic.in