india

Updated: Sep 24, 2019 20:03 IST

The Indian Railways is mulling the idea of handing over operations of more trains to private players in the coming days on several important routes with improved services and amenities for passengers.

A letter sent on Monday, a copy of which has been reviewed by Hindustan Times, by the Railways Board to all zonal railways’ principal chief operating managers has instructed the zones to hold a meeting on Friday to finalise the proposed routes and study their viability.

The proposed routes for long distance travel are: Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Lucknow, Delhi-Jammu/Katra, Delhi-Howrah, Secunderabad-Hyderabad, Secunderabad-Delhi, Delhi- Chennai, Mumbai-Chennai, Howrah-Chennai and Howrah-Mumbai.

The plan also, for the first time, includes suburban rail in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Secunderabad.

Indian Railways in June had also given approval to its subsidiary, Indian Railway Catering, and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), for running the Tejas Express between Delhi-Lucknow and Ahmedabad-Mumbai on a pilot basis. The trains would operate with a minimum of 12 coaches for one year.

Hindustan Times on September 9 had reported the plan is part of the ministry’s 100 days’ action plan approved in June. At present, the railways has decided to hand over two rakes to the IRCTC to operate. It will open more rakes to private operators over the next few years through an open bidding process.