Let private players run and maintain passenger trains, panel suggests

[anant_s]

The Bibek Debroy committee also recommended the setting up of a Railway Regulatory Authority of India with a separate budget and independent of the railway ministry.

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways is on the threshold of dramatic changes. A government panel, mandated to suggest ways to overhaul the railways, has recommended the entry of private players to run passenger trains. While there was talk of private sector role in freight, this is the first time a move is being made to bring it in the running of passenger trains.

Along with this, the panel headed by NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy, has recommened the entry of private companies in operation and maintenance of railways, and has pitched for attracting talent from outside for a radical revamp of the lumbering state-owned behemoth.

The Debroy panel, set up by the Narendra Modi government, has prepared a detailed report (a copy of which is with TOI) which will be presented to the government on Friday. The government is expected to act on the recommendations in the months ahead as railways is regarded as a priority sector for the Modi administration.

The panel has also suggested the scrapping of a separate railway budget — something for which many economists have argued in the past — as the railways was just another public sector company. The railway budget is seen as British colonial legacy which has lingered on for decades.

The radical measures suggested include, switching over to commercial accounting of railway functions, corporatization of railways production units and involving private sector in manufacturing coaches, wagons and locomotives.

The Debroy committee has backed the idea of separating the Railways' unremunerative activities — such as running schools, hospital, stadia, catering, real estate development and its huge security set up, RPF, -- from the core business of the railways. The railways run some of the biggest hospitals and schools across the country.

Commenting on the organizational structure of the railways, the committee has said that it has become an overly centralized and hierarchical organization. Its departments worked in separate silos and that has adversely affected the work culture. The panel suggested rewriting of some of its staffing rules in order to attract outside talent and restructure the house along business units for ushering in efficiency.

The committee has stressed that it was not recommending privatization, in the sense of sale of equity, of the railways. "The committee did not recommend privatization of India Railways. It does, however, endorse private entry, which is not ab initio but ab hinc — as this is already part of the accepted Indian Railway policy — with the provision of an independent regulator," said the report.

The panel noted that private sector participation in railways has been muted when compared to other sectors such as ports, telecom, airports and roads. It found that one of the main reasons was that the same organization dealt with the three prime functions — policy making, regulatory functions and operation.

The committee recommended the setting up of a Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI) with a separate budget and independent of the railway ministry. To ensure level playing field for private players, the regulator should have quasi-judicial powers with statutory backing, it said.

For speedier execution of projects and to cut time and cost run, the panel suggested that construction organizations working at zonal railways must be brought under the umbrella of one or more PSUs such as RVNL, IRCON etc. It has also strongly decentralisation of decision-making to empower divisional and zonal railway managers.

It was of the view that existing railways production units must be exposed to competition from private sectors. "To face the competition the existing units may be placed under government SPV—Indian Railways Manufacturing Company," it said.

Let private players run and maintain passenger trains, panel suggests - The Times of India

@Rain Man

 

[HariPrasad]

Good idea. However fair shall increase very much.

Run more double Decker train to accommodate more people.

 

[dray]

Before the Sarda scam in Bengal, a couple of coaches of an express train to north-Bengal were given to them, probably illegally, but those coaches were better maintained with better food, security and service!

Besides, we really need some serious discipline in train timings, it should not be OK to be late by 12 hours!! I think we need some strict guidelines like local trains should not be more than 10 minutes late, express trains going up to 1500 kms should not be more than 30 minutes late, and express trains going more than 1500 kms should not be more than 45 minutes late. Trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranta should not be more than 20 minutes late, and this should be only the initial goal.

@anant_s @gslv mk3

 

[dray]

Some good developments:

Picture yourself in a train. Say you're travelling a long distance so you have to stay in your coach for a considerable amount of time. Of course, everyone likes a clean and posh coach. Usually, if you got a berth in a dirty coach, your only hope and savior would be that nameless cleaning boy who would clean the coach at some prominent station stoppage but that too would be a far cry as coaches are usually cleaned before and after a journey.
The Railway Ministry has announced its plans to launch an app called 'Clean My Coach', which is an idea along the lines of the 'Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan'.

The app can be used by passengers to report a dirty berth or toilet. The complaint would be filed using the app, with respect to the passenger's PNR number. The complaint will be forwarded to and handled by a cleaner within a response time of 15 minutes. For those without smartphones, the system can work using a simple SMS as well. For every complaint, the Railway Administration would also receive an intimation for record-keeping purposes.

This is a great step towards simple and hopefully effective solutions. Maybe the savior is technology then. On a related note, why not try and incorporate a small change in ourselves as well? Try and be cleaner when travelling in trains.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Railways has rolled out a non-AC coach of Rewari-Sitapur passenger train lit by solar panels installed on its roof as part of its plan to harness the green source of energy in a big way.

Railways is also planning to come out with a solar policy for procuring 1000 MW solar power in the next five years.

As per the plan, the train would be pulled by conventional diesel-run engines while solar panels will provide all the internal electricity needs for lights and fans on both AC and non-AC coaches.

"As the pilot project, one non-AC coach has been fitted with solar panels on the rooftop. The trial has been successful so far with the coach generating nearly 17 units of electricity every day. Depending on its success, decision will be taken to convert the entire train into a solar power-enabled one," Arun Arora, Divisional Railway Manager confirmed to Mail Today.

Coaches of Shan-e-Punjab Express and Taj Express are also going to be equipped with solar power railway official said.
It cost about Rs 3.90 lakh for equipping the non-AC coach of Rewari-Sitapur passenger train while the Railways will save Rs 1.24 lakh per year in power cost.

In 2013-14, from the Rs 1.27 lakh crore of Indian Railways’ expenditure, nearly Rs 28,500 crore (22 per cent) were spent on fuel.

According to a Northern Railway official, 40 sq metre of space is available on a train’s roof top. Of these, nearly 24 sq-metre of space is covered with 12 solar panels. The remaining 16 sq-metre of space can further accommodate six solar panels, officials said.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has also emphasised on promotion of sustainable development and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The generation of solar supply will help railways supply power at remote locations and saving in diesel due to reduced running of diesel generators.

 

[fenku]

So, next time private player will announce budget

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

The Bibek Debroy committee also recommended the setting up of a Railway Regulatory Authority of India with a separate budget and independent of the railway ministry.

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways is on the threshold of dramatic changes. A government panel, mandated to suggest ways to overhaul the railways, has recommended the entry of private players to run passenger trains. While there was talk of private sector role in freight, this is the first time a move is being made to bring it in the running of passenger trains.

Along with this, the panel headed by NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy, has recommened the entry of private companies in operation and maintenance of railways, and has pitched for attracting talent from outside for a radical revamp of the lumbering state-owned behemoth.

The Debroy panel, set up by the Narendra Modi government, has prepared a detailed report (a copy of which is with TOI) which will be presented to the government on Friday. The government is expected to act on the recommendations in the months ahead as railways is regarded as a priority sector for the Modi administration.

The panel has also suggested the scrapping of a separate railway budget — something for which many economists have argued in the past — as the railways was just another public sector company. The railway budget is seen as British colonial legacy which has lingered on for decades.

The radical measures suggested include, switching over to commercial accounting of railway functions, corporatization of railways production units and involving private sector in manufacturing coaches, wagons and locomotives.

The Debroy committee has backed the idea of separating the Railways' unremunerative activities — such as running schools, hospital, stadia, catering, real estate development and its huge security set up, RPF, -- from the core business of the railways. The railways run some of the biggest hospitals and schools across the country.

Commenting on the organizational structure of the railways, the committee has said that it has become an overly centralized and hierarchical organization. Its departments worked in separate silos and that has adversely affected the work culture. The panel suggested rewriting of some of its staffing rules in order to attract outside talent and restructure the house along business units for ushering in efficiency.

The committee has stressed that it was not recommending privatization, in the sense of sale of equity, of the railways. "The committee did not recommend privatization of India Railways. It does, however, endorse private entry, which is not ab initio but ab hinc — as this is already part of the accepted Indian Railway policy — with the provision of an independent regulator," said the report.

The panel noted that private sector participation in railways has been muted when compared to other sectors such as ports, telecom, airports and roads. It found that one of the main reasons was that the same organization dealt with the three prime functions — policy making, regulatory functions and operation.

The committee recommended the setting up of a Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI) with a separate budget and independent of the railway ministry. To ensure level playing field for private players, the regulator should have quasi-judicial powers with statutory backing, it said.

For speedier execution of projects and to cut time and cost run, the panel suggested that construction organizations working at zonal railways must be brought under the umbrella of one or more PSUs such as RVNL, IRCON etc. It has also strongly decentralisation of decision-making to empower divisional and zonal railway managers.

It was of the view that existing railways production units must be exposed to competition from private sectors. "To face the competition the existing units may be placed under government SPV—Indian Railways Manufacturing Company," it said.

Let private players run and maintain passenger trains, panel suggests - The Times of India

@Rain Man

In a major shift, the Indian Railway has decided to hand over maintenance of Train Sets it has proposed to buy to the private player which would supply the rakes, a responsibility hitherto shouldered by the public transporter.

The railway has already floated global tenders for the Rs 2500 crore project involving procurement-cum-maintenance contract for 15 Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) Train Sets.

Till now, maintenance has been the preserve of the Indian Railway, while cleaning activities have been outsourced. It is for the first time that Indian Railway is allowing a private player to do the maintenance also which is paradigm shift

Indian Railway to privatise maintenance of 15 EMU trains - IndiaTv news

 

[livingdead]

Private players cannot improve the timing, they can improve the quality of travel though. May be private players should be allowed to have a coach attached to any train, and charge as they please.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

The Bibek Debroy committee also recommended the setting up of a Railway Regulatory Authority of India with a separate budget and independent of the railway ministry.

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways is on the threshold of dramatic changes. A government panel, mandated to suggest ways to overhaul the railways, has recommended the entry of private players to run passenger trains. While there was talk of private sector role in freight, this is the first time a move is being made to bring it in the running of passenger trains.

Along with this, the panel headed by NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy, has recommened the entry of private companies in operation and maintenance of railways, and has pitched for attracting talent from outside for a radical revamp of the lumbering state-owned behemoth.

The Debroy panel, set up by the Narendra Modi government, has prepared a detailed report (a copy of which is with TOI) which will be presented to the government on Friday. The government is expected to act on the recommendations in the months ahead as railways is regarded as a priority sector for the Modi administration.

The panel has also suggested the scrapping of a separate railway budget — something for which many economists have argued in the past — as the railways was just another public sector company. The railway budget is seen as British colonial legacy which has lingered on for decades.

The radical measures suggested include, switching over to commercial accounting of railway functions, corporatization of railways production units and involving private sector in manufacturing coaches, wagons and locomotives.

The Debroy committee has backed the idea of separating the Railways' unremunerative activities — such as running schools, hospital, stadia, catering, real estate development and its huge security set up, RPF, -- from the core business of the railways. The railways run some of the biggest hospitals and schools across the country.

Commenting on the organizational structure of the railways, the committee has said that it has become an overly centralized and hierarchical organization. Its departments worked in separate silos and that has adversely affected the work culture. The panel suggested rewriting of some of its staffing rules in order to attract outside talent and restructure the house along business units for ushering in efficiency.

The committee has stressed that it was not recommending privatization, in the sense of sale of equity, of the railways. "The committee did not recommend privatization of India Railways. It does, however, endorse private entry, which is not ab initio but ab hinc — as this is already part of the accepted Indian Railway policy — with the provision of an independent regulator," said the report.

The panel noted that private sector participation in railways has been muted when compared to other sectors such as ports, telecom, airports and roads. It found that one of the main reasons was that the same organization dealt with the three prime functions — policy making, regulatory functions and operation.

The committee recommended the setting up of a Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI) with a separate budget and independent of the railway ministry. To ensure level playing field for private players, the regulator should have quasi-judicial powers with statutory backing, it said.

For speedier execution of projects and to cut time and cost run, the panel suggested that construction organizations working at zonal railways must be brought under the umbrella of one or more PSUs such as RVNL, IRCON etc. It has also strongly decentralisation of decision-making to empower divisional and zonal railway managers.

It was of the view that existing railways production units must be exposed to competition from private sectors. "To face the competition the existing units may be placed under government SPV—Indian Railways Manufacturing Company," it said.

Let private players run and maintain passenger trains, panel suggests - The Times of India

@Rain Man

In other news - Indian Railways first broad gauge rail line constructed under PPP model inaugurated - The 17.2-km-long Gandhidham-Tuna- Tekra port rail line, built with private participation - funded by M/s Kandla Port Trust (KPT) and Western Railway Zone of Indian Railways - This is second non-government railway line in Gujarat after one connecting Pipapav port in Amreli. -

Indian Railways opens new 17.2-km-long broad gauge line | The Financial Express

 

[OrionHunter]

I think much of the Debroy report will be given a quiet burial as there are too many vested interests involved.

 

[JanjaWeed]

There will be a staunch opposition to this move from vested interests within govt & bureaucracy. They wouldn't let go a cash milking business for personal gains that easy!

 

[anant_s]

In other news - Indian Railways first broad gauge rail line constructed under PPP model inaugurated - The 17.2-km-long Gandhidham-Tuna- Tekra port rail line, built with private participation - funded by M/s Kandla Port Trust (KPT) and Western Railway Zone of Indian Railways - This is second non-government railway line in Gujarat after one connecting Pipapav port in Amreli. -

Indian Railways opens new 17.2-km-long broad gauge line | The Financial Express

Yes saw this news yesterday. RM Prabhu has indicated that several such projects will be implemented in future too. With dedicated freight corridors coming up i think we will see more and more arterial lines connected to nodal network that will provide trans-country connection for ports, mines, inland terminals and industry centers.
& in a sense it is a good move as railway has to undertake a lot of clearances before laying a new line, on the other hand private projects take much shorter time to materialize and hence a win win situation.

 

[migflug]

Privatisation of railway is not possible as it is the lifeline of countrys poorest section. But we must /need to follow PPP model to ensure safety,security, sanity in railway. It can change the looks of railway

 

[Ryuzaki]

New orders for fresh train coaches shouldnt be given to ICF,they are stuck in 70s

 

[Echo_419]

I think much of the Debroy report will be given a quiet burial as there are too many vested interests involved.

We should aim to gradually reform Railways rather than big bang railways

In other news - Indian Railways first broad gauge rail line constructed under PPP model inaugurated - The 17.2-km-long Gandhidham-Tuna- Tekra port rail line, built with private participation - funded by M/s Kandla Port Trust (KPT) and Western Railway Zone of Indian Railways - This is second non-government railway line in Gujarat after one connecting Pipapav port in Amreli. -

Indian Railways opens new 17.2-km-long broad gauge line | The Financial Express

Great news more such projects should be undertaken

 

[kadamba-warrior]

New orders for fresh train coaches shouldnt be given to ICF,they are stuck in 70s

Exactly!

Does anybody remember the location of the window on the coach doors?

Look at so-called DRDO coach!
Welcome to Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala Official Website

I mean, what kind of a dumb-f*ck do you have to be - to fix the window so low on the door that you have to bend down all the way to even take a peek outside!

That is just one of the million other problems with these coaches!