Not privatising Railways; only outsourcing few services: Govt

New Delhi: The government is not privatising the Indian Railways but only outsourcing commercial and on-board services to private players in order to provide better facilities to commuters, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Responding to a series of queries during Question Hour, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said such a step has been taken as it is not possible for the government to meet the fund requirement of Rs 50 lakh crore estimated for the next 12 years to operate Railways.

"Our intention is to give better services and benefits and not to privatise the Indian Railways. The Indian Railways is and always continues to be the property of India and people of India," Goyal assured in the Upper House.

As per the government's estimate, the Indian Railways require about Rs 50 lakh crore in the next 12 years.

"Every day, members come with a new demand for lines and better services. It is not going to be a possibility for the Government of India to provide Rs 50 lakh crore for the next 12 years. We all know that," he said, adding there are budgetary constraints and other real issues.

Noting that thousands of new trains and more investment are required for providing new facilities/rakes and meet the passengers rush, Goyal said: "If there are private players willing to invest and come and run on the existing system, which continues to be always owned by the Indian Railways the consumers and passengers will benefit."

Maintaining that the government is corporatising railways not privatising it, Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi said, "We are outsourcing only the commercial and on- board services to private players. Ownership will be with railways. We are giving only licenses. They are bringing in new rates."

He said existing employees of the Indian Railways will not be affected. Private players will provide better services and create additional employment opportunities.

On services to disabled passengers and women at railway stations, Angadi said safety and cleanliness have always been the priority of the government and it would take care if they are lapses in some stations.

He said all railways stations have a separate resting room for women and police help is also being provided.

Responding to a query whether railways will continue to look into complaints of passengers about on-board services provided by private players, the minister said, "A valid point has been made. If there are any problems, the Railway authority will be there to address."

There has been an increase of 362 per cent in the allocation of funds for railway projects in Bihar and as many as 55 projects are underway in the state, the Central government said on Friday.

Replying to supplementary questions during the question hour in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Railways Angadi Suresh Channabasappa said Rs 4,093 crore has been allocated for Bihar, an increase of 362 per cent, and that 55 projects are underway in the state.

On a specific query on when the Hajipur-Mohua rail line was started, he said it was started almost 14 years ago but has been pending for some reasons.

"No survey for Hajipur-Mahua New Line section has been conducted. However, a Reconnaissance Engg-cum-Traffic Survey (RETS) for new line between Bhagwanpur (located at a distance of 20 km from Hajipur)-Samastipur via Mahua (60 km) has been taken up," Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply.

Besides, he said, demands for survey and sanction of new lines is a continuous process. Final view on sanction of a project is taken on the basis of financial and economic return on the project after examination of the survey report, the minister said.