Private trains likely to run by April 2023: Railways

NEW DELHI: Private train operations in the country will begin by April 2023, and the ticket fares in these trains will be competitive with airfares on similar routes, the Railways said Thursday.

Addressing a press conference online, Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav said that private players in passenger train operations will mean a quantum jump in technology and coaches that run at higher speeds.

The improvement in technology will also mean that the coaches that now require maintenance after running 4,000 km, will need maintenance after every 40,000-km, that is either once or twice a month, he said.

Allaying fears that the Railways network was being handed over to private parties, Yadav told the Thursday press conference that private participation in passenger train operations will only be five per cent of the existing 2800 Mail/ Express trains over IR. Meanwhile, slamming the Centre’s decision, the Opposition on Thursday said that such a move is against the basics of a self-reliant India. The opposition warned serious repercussions for the privatisation of Railways. Taking on the Modi government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government is snatching the lifeline of the poor.