Railways to set up body to enhance ties with pvt investors

Seeking technical cooperation for upgradation of rail infrastructure with foreign countries, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu today said the national transporter can grow faster based on the partnership model.
The Minister also said that a new body would be set up to enhance partnership with private investors, and raise efficiency and speed in implementing rail projects.
"We need partnership which is our thrust area which I have mentioned in my budget speech. Partnership can help railways grow faster," Prabhu said at an international conference on railways organised by Assocham and attended by Ambassadors of China, France and Czech Republic.
"We seek partnership with many of you and I look forward for Railways becoming a growth engine, Railways becoming the wheels of social transformation.

Detailing the aspects, he said, "There can be technical cooperation with other countries for upgradation of railway infrastructure like track maintenance, locomotives, signalling system to meet the global benchmarking. We have to design new locomotives, rolling stock which will be more user friendly and energy efficient."
"We have also announced the setting up of regulatory framework. We are going to set up a Kaya Kalp Council for business transformation for railways and it will be headed by a very distinguished person," he said.

Focusing on partnership, Prabhu said, "All of us will work together in the spirit of partnership to make railways better. We are signing MoUs with most of the states for executing rail projects. We will operationalise these MoUs after signing."

Highlighting the public transporter's role in Indian economy, he said, "Railways have to play a significant role in Indian economy's growth. We must have transparency, efficiency and speed for implementing the projects."
Prabhu also said that whatever was announced in the Rail Budget is under implementation.