Rlys looks for pvt investment in high-speed projects

Encouraged by the World Bank loan to the first phase of eastern dedicated freight corridor, the ministry has given momentum to different issues related to the high speed rail projects, including feasibility study of six high speed rail corridors it has identified for the project and the drafting of the National High Speed Rail Authority Bill.

Underlining railways’s efforts to attract private investment for high speed rail projects, which cost 100 crore per km, the Minister of State for Railways said the railways desire the public private partnership (PPP) mode for investment and execution, and draw on frontier technologies incorporating the highest standards of safety and service quality.
Addressing a high profile seminar organised last week in the national capital by Institution of Engineers, Muniyappa especially highlighted the eco-friendly nature of the project by saying that the high speed rail would reduce green house effect.

The railways has, obviously, been selling this aspect of the project to attract international financial institutions like the World Bank. The World Bank had emphasised the green aspect of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor while signing the loan for the project.
Railway Board member (electrical) Kulbhushan revealed the speed on some tracks would be increased from 150 km per hour to 200 km per hour after commissioning of dedicated freight corridors. These would be upgraded to run passenger trains and EMUs at 200 km per hour.

“A study is being carried out by the Government of Japan for upgrading speed of New Delhi-Mumbai route to 200 kmph. The other strategy is to develop green field high speed rail corridors with a speed potential of 250-350 km per hour on the identified six corridors,” said the Railway Board member.

The Railways has identified six high speed rail corridors between Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Patna (991 km), Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram (869km), Howrah-Vijaywada-Chennai (664km), Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad (650 km), Delhi Chandigarh-Amritsar (450 km) and Howrah-Haldia (135 km).

While a British consultant company has been hired for the longest route of Delhi-Agra-Lucknow-Patna, a Spanish company is doing feasibility study for the Howrah-Haldia route. French company Systra has already submitted its report for Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. Consultants to study remaining three routes are to be appointed soon, said sources in the rail ministry.

The Railway Ministry is working on the draft bill for National High Speed Rail Authority with an increased momentum.

“The proposed bill will require opinions from ministries including Law Ministry, Urban Development Ministry and Planning Commission before it is sent for Cabinet’s approval,” said a ministry source.