As part of the plan for private trains, the railways recently invited proposals from companies to run 151 modern passenger trains on 109 pairs of routes across the country.As per information, the first set of 12 private trains will be introduced in 2023, followed by 45 more in the next fiscal.The project would entail a private sector investment of about Rs 30,000 crore.
The request for qualification (RFQ), which was floated on July 8, is likely to be finalised by November, the financial bids will be opened by March, 2021 and selection of bidders is planned by April 31, 2021, according to a timeline for introduction of private passenger trains prepared by the railways.
As per the sources, bidders quoting the highest share in gross revenue shall be awarded the project.
The railways has said that 70 per cent of the private trains will be manufactured in India which will be designed for a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
There would be a reduction in journey time by around 10-15 per cent at 130 kmph and around 30 per cent at 160 kmph. The running time taken by a train shall be comparable to or faster than the fastest train of Indian Railways operating in the respective route.
The private player will pay the railways fixed haulage charges, energy charges as per actual consumption and a share in gross revenue determined through a transparent bidding process. The railways is expected to receive total haulage charges of around Rs 3,000 crore per annum from operation of these 151 trains.
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