Indian Railways Will Operate the First Phase of Private Trains by April 2023
The operation of private trains in India is going to start soon. The first phase of private trains in the country will start operating from the financial year 2023. Tenders will be finalized by March 2021.
Rail News: Indian Railways has fixed the timeline for private trains to run with the help of the private sector. According to the initial schedule, the first phase of private trains will be launched in 2023. There will be 12 trains in this set. According to railway officials, all 151 trains will start running by 2027. Indian railways invited proposals earlier this month to operate 151 modern passenger trains on 109 pairs of routes across the country to pursue its plan to allow private companies to run passenger trains.
Also Read: Indian Railways Clarified Only 5 Per Cent Private Trains Being Run By Private Operators
Bids Will Be Opened By March 2021
In this regard, the Request for Qualification (RFQ) issued on 8 July is expected to be finalized by November, and financial bids will be opened by March 2021. Bidders are expected to be selected by 31 April 2021. The official said that the project would be offered to bidders offering a maximum share in the total revenue.
Private Trains to be Launched in This Order:
Financial Year – Number of Trains
• 2022-23 – 12 Trains
• 2023-2024 – 45 Trains
• 2025-2026 – 50 Trains
• 2026-2027 – 44 Trains
Total Trains: 151
Private Trains Will Be Made in India
Railways have said that 70 per cent of private trains will be built in India. These trains will be prepared according to the maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour. Travelling at a rate of 130 kilometres per hour will save 10 to 15 per cent of the time, while a speed of 160 kilometres per hour will save 30 per cent of the time. Each train will have 16 coaches.
The rate of these private trains will be higher than the fastest trains currently run by the Railways.
Railways Will Increase Earnings with Private Trains
Railways officials said that the railway is expected to get around 3,000 crore rupees per year from the operation of these 151 trains. Only the drivers and guards of the Indian Railways will work on these trains.
Provision of Fine for Private Operators
The operation and maintenance of these trains will be governed by the standards, specifications and requirements specified by the Indian Railways. The service of trains by a private entity will commensurate with essential performance indicators such as punctuality (95 per cent), reliability (more than one failure for one lakh km journey), maintenance of trains and other requirements over time. If private companies fail to meet any performance standards related to passenger train operations, they will also be fined by the Indian Railways.
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