Private train project: IRCTC and MEIL submits bids

26 Jul 2021 CW Team

Indian Railways opens bids for a public-private partnership (PPP) in passenger train operations projects in three clusters, while Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures (MEIL) participate in the bidding process.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures (MEIL) have submitted their bids for Rs 7,200 crore for the Private Train Project in three clusters - Mumbai 2, Delhi 1, and Delhi 2 under the Government of India's passenger train operation projects in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Railway told the media that after multiple rounds of detailed discussion with industry players, the bids for PPP in passenger train operations project were opened on 23 July 2021. The Ministry has received bids from both the public and private sector to operate 29 pairs of trains with around 40 pairs of modern rakes with an investment of around Rs 7,200 crore.

Around 30 pairs of private train services will be operated in three clusters, and the project will attract investment of around Rs 7,200 crore. A total of Rs 30,000 crore investment will be done for running passenger trains, according to the plan.

The private players will be selected through a transparent two-stage competitive bidding process involving a request for qualification (RFQ) and a request for proposal (RFP) to carry out the Private Train Project.

According to the private train plan, Indian Railways expects to start private rail operations with 12 trains by March 2023, and it intends to launch 151 such services by 2027.

Also read: Railways to roll out 10 Vande Bharat trains connecting 40 cities

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