Domestic companies will determine train fares

 Domestic companies will determine train fares

New Delhi, Sep19: The government has decided to run private trains in the domestic market.  These trains will charge a private player for commuting when they start operating.  It is learned that the government will allow private train operators to do so.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has plans to attract foreign investors to Indian Railways, known as Asia’s oldest railway network.  Railway board chairman VK Yadav said private companies would be given the freedom to determine passenger fares.  Air conditioning buses and planes will also operate on these routes.  Yadav clarified that various schemes will be taken up once the rent is fixed.

 Rail travel is a sensitive issue in the country.  The number of people traveling daily by train in the country is higher than the total population of Australia.  In India, people rely heavily on railways for travel.  The government plans to give private companies a chance to increase competition in the railway network.  It plans to improve station development and rail management.  In the case of railways, the government has now given partial access to the private sector.  Companies such as Alstam SHA, Bombardier Ink, GMR Infrastructure Limited and Adani Enterprises have shown interest in these projects.  With the new project in place, the railways could attract an investment of about $ 7.5 billion.  The central government is now focusing on improving the railways.  By 2023, loans have also been borrowed from Japan to run domestic trains within the country.  There are also plans to increase the speed of trains.  On the other hand, users will charge a fee for busy stations.  As a result, rent is expected to rise.  Notably, the government has called for interest in running 151 domestic trains on Route 109.