In a big boost for the Indian Railways’ plan to have private trains on its vast rail network in the country, it has received bids from IRCTC and Hyderabad-based infrastructure major Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) for operating a total of 29 pairs of trains, reports Times of India.
The two companies have submitted the bids to operate 29 trains with 40 rakes under two clusters in Delhi and one cluster in Mumbai zones with an investment of Rs 7,200 crore.
The routes for which Indian Railways has received bids include Mumbai-Delhi, Delhi-Varanasi, Delhi-Rishikesh, Delhi-Sabarmati, Mumbai-Shirdi, Dadar-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Indore and also Delhi-Kathgodam.
The process for evaluation of bids is likely to be expedited, post which the final tenders will be awarded. The company which offers maximum revenue share to the Indian Railways will get the tender.
It should be noted that in total, the Indian Railways has invited bids for private participation to induct 151 trains over 12 clusters.