The railway ministry plans to invest Rs 240 billion to make the Indian Railways more modern and people-friendly.
The ministry, which has drawn an integrated plan to improve and modernise the railway system, Thursday said it would invest Rs.240 billion between 2005 and 2010 with the help of private investors.
Private investors would be invited to develop integrated logistic parks, wagon investment scheme and rail-side warehouse complexes. Investors would also be invited in freight services.
The ministry has formulated the Wagon Investment Scheme to procure wagons.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Naranbhai J. Rathwa, minister of state for railways, said a policy to permit private players to move container trains was on the anvil.
The minister said facilities for passengers would be upgraded by constructing more retiring rooms and 'pay and use' amenities.
The ministry also plans to reduce the journey time of trains, especially Rajdhani and Shatabdi, and upgrade some of the trains from express trains to super-fast trains.
Trains running at a minimum average commercial speed of 55 km per hour are classified as super-fast trains.
Rathwa said that the speed of 28 Rajdhani express trains might be increased. There was also a proposal to add more than 200 super-fast trains during 2006-07.
{{/usCountry}}Rathwa said that the speed of 28 Rajdhani express trains might be increased. There was also a proposal to add more than 200 super-fast trains during 2006-07.
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