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Ministry of Railways for encouraging public-private participation have already formulated guidelines for Public-Private Partnership in Railway infrastructure projects, Wagon Investment Scheme, setting up rail side warehousing facilities, liberalized railway siding rules, leasing of parcel space in passenger carrying trains and have initiated steps required for setting up Rail Land Development Authority for developing surplus railway land. Ministry of Railways has also formed Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. to further explore the possibilities of public-private partnership in rail infrastructure projects. Activities like catering, tourism, telecommunication development with optic fibre cables have been corporatised through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. (RAILTEL).
For bringing automation, Railways has already introduced mechanized cleaning at stations and coaches and is implementing Coaching Operations Information System. Reservation hours have been extended for Internet booking and the same are now from 04.00 hours to 23.30 hours as against 08.00 hours to 22.00 hours earlier. For upgrading the information system, facility for internet based reservation enquiry and train enquiry have been provided, a system is being launched to provide SMS alerts to passengers of selected trains about train delays, tickets status, etc. and a project for provision of integrated call centres for passenger enquiries is under execution. For improving support infrastructure, necessary works have been sanctioned. A scheme called “Clean Train Stations” is being started in 2005-06 under which nominated stations will ensure proper mechanized cleaning of passing trains during day-time. Zonal Railways have been directed to closely monitor the standards of cleanliness.
The above information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri R. Velu in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
HB:BKS:CKB
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