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The Planning Commission in the draft chapter on Mid Term Appraisal of the Tenth Five year Plan included a paragraph on the private sector participation in owning and marketing passenger trains for tourist destinations and private goods trains between specified destinations.
However, Railways have already setup Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation for taking all steps to boost up rail based tourism, including running of tourist trains. Railways are tying up with different state governments for running tourist trains on the pattern of ‘Palace on wheels’ and Deccan Odyssy’. For private participation in goods traffic, Railways have already decided to open up container type operation and introduce wagon investment schemes. Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) like Pipavav Rail Corporation Limited (PRCL) are being set up for private participation for port connectivity.
Railways in its comments to the Planning Commission on the draft chapter on Mid Term Appraisal has, therefore, suggested that the reference to private tourist and goods trains be excluded.
The above information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri R. Velu in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
HB:BKS:CKB
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