<p>New Delhi: Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), which earned Navratna status from the government, on Wednesday said it is exploring lending to non-railway projects. <br><br>The IRFC, which was funding to the Indian Railways, has now got wider legroom to finance all other companies and activities. By lending non-railway projects, the company can look for improve its margin, the company CMD and CEO Manoj Kumar Dubey told media persons here. </p>.IRCTC, IRFC upgraded to Navratna status, Railway Minister complements.<p><br><br>“IRFC is also actively exploring opportunities to fund rolling stock requirements for Indian Railways customers, container train operators, renewable energy needs of Indian Railways, Metro Rail Projects, port rail connectivity and PPP projects sanctioned by Indian Railways," he said.<br><br>On March 3, 2025, the government approved the upgradation of IRCTC and IRFC to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprises.<br><br>Dubey said that IRFC has played a key role in funding nearly 80 per cent of Indian Railways locos, coaches and wagons, including the Vande Bharat Express trains.<br><br>He informed that the firm has funded Rs 5 lakh crore to the Indian Railways till date. At present, nearly 86 per cent of the company is owned by the Ministry of Railways and nearly 13 per cent by all diverse shareholders in the country as well as overseas, he added.<br><br>Dubey said that his company will have several edges as compared to his competitors when it comes to bidding for railway-linked projects because the IRFC maintains very low expenses, has access to cheap raw material (loan) and it wants a margin of over 40 paise, a margin it gets from the Railways currently.<br><br>Dubey banked upon the company’s zero NPA status.<br><br>“Out of all the three government financial institutions -- the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and IRFC -- that can issue 54EC bonds (capital gain bonds), our nil NPA status makes us safest among all,” he said.</p>
<p>New Delhi: Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), which earned Navratna status from the government, on Wednesday said it is exploring lending to non-railway projects. <br><br>The IRFC, which was funding to the Indian Railways, has now got wider legroom to finance all other companies and activities. By lending non-railway projects, the company can look for improve its margin, the company CMD and CEO Manoj Kumar Dubey told media persons here. </p>.IRCTC, IRFC upgraded to Navratna status, Railway Minister complements.<p><br><br>“IRFC is also actively exploring opportunities to fund rolling stock requirements for Indian Railways customers, container train operators, renewable energy needs of Indian Railways, Metro Rail Projects, port rail connectivity and PPP projects sanctioned by Indian Railways," he said.<br><br>On March 3, 2025, the government approved the upgradation of IRCTC and IRFC to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprises.<br><br>Dubey said that IRFC has played a key role in funding nearly 80 per cent of Indian Railways locos, coaches and wagons, including the Vande Bharat Express trains.<br><br>He informed that the firm has funded Rs 5 lakh crore to the Indian Railways till date. At present, nearly 86 per cent of the company is owned by the Ministry of Railways and nearly 13 per cent by all diverse shareholders in the country as well as overseas, he added.<br><br>Dubey said that his company will have several edges as compared to his competitors when it comes to bidding for railway-linked projects because the IRFC maintains very low expenses, has access to cheap raw material (loan) and it wants a margin of over 40 paise, a margin it gets from the Railways currently.<br><br>Dubey banked upon the company’s zero NPA status.<br><br>“Out of all the three government financial institutions -- the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and IRFC -- that can issue 54EC bonds (capital gain bonds), our nil NPA status makes us safest among all,” he said.</p>
