Old rail projects on track

Hyderabad: D.V. Sadananda Gowda, the Union minister for railways, said on Friday that all projects that had been announced by earlier governments would be taken forward and a separate zone, as had been previously announced, would also be formed.

The minister said that FDI as well as private partnerships would be required for investments to meet the massive upgradation plan of the Indian Railways.

Upgradation of the railway stations will be taken up wherein private partners will be invited. So far, 10 stations across the country have been identified and private partners can develop and upgrade stations to any level, from making theatres to five star restaurants and malls, he said.

The minister added that while FDI investments for some high-speed bullet trains and dedicated freight corridors would be sought, he ruled out FDI in existing railway projects.

“We will not entertain FDI in the operating part. We will allow FDI only for creation of infrastructure and other developmental activities,” he said.  

The Indian Railways will also come out with a Model Concession Agreement for executing projects under the Public-Private-Partnership  mode.

“Private players are coming forward in large numbers. We want to take Indian Railways to newer heights and it will not be possible without private investment. Development without private partnership will not be possible and hence, it will be allowed to a limited extent, since the previously sanctioned projects are worth Rs 5 lakh crore, while Budgetary allocations total to only Rs 60,000 crore.

“The MCA agreement is underway and will be completed within a month,” said the minister adding that the government would prioritise completion of the pending projects at the earliest.

Meanwhile, speaking about the proposed new railway zone, Mr Gowda said that the special committee’s report on feasibility and requirement of the new states was expected on October 14, following which a decision would be taken.

Moula Ali training college to be Centre of Excellence

The Union minister for railways said the Moula Ali RPF Zonal Training College will be upgraded to a Centre of excellence. The RPF so far does not have a centre of excellence anywhere in the country. A proposal to make the college a national-level training institute is in an advanced stage of talks. The minister on Friday morning reviewed the passing out parade of the cadet sub-inspectors of RPF at Moula Ali College here.