BCIC seeks clarity on Railways' PPP projects

The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) has urged the Union Ministry of Railways to announce clear guidelines on public-private partnership (PPP) projects to be taken up by the Railways. The BCIC has also sought a clarification from the ministry if the proposed guidelines are different from the one announced by the Planning Commission.

According to the Planning Commission guidelines, the PPP initiative would be taken by the government. But, the railway ministry is asking the private sector to come out with their own PPP initiatives.

At a pre-budget discussion called by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee with industry bodies in Delhi on Wednesday, the BCIC requested that clearer policy framework for all PPP projects be issued.

Sumitra Iyengar, Chairperson, BCIC Infrastructure Committee, in her presentation said members of the chamber were willing to participate in various PPP projects like modernisation of select railway stations in Karnataka and agreed to submit project proposals in this regard.

The BCIC also appealed to the minister to set up a single window agency (SWA) in Delhi to clear all PPP projects. Regional Advisory Committees on PPP should be created at all the Regional Headquarters with the representatives of Chambers of Commerce, Trade and Industry as its members to ensure proper co-ordination with the SWA at New Delhi.

BCIC also submitted a Project Feasibility Report for introduction of Commuter Rail Service in Bangalore on the lines of MRVC, Mumbai and MMTS, Hyderabad. The officials welcomed the proposals and assured the Chamber that they will look into the matter positively.

The members of BCIC also offered to invest for development of Private Freight Terminals on PPP mode and requested the Ministry to come out with specific policy guidelines in this regard.

Earlier in her address to representatives of trade and industry, the railway minister sought co-operation of the private sector in the overall development of Railways’ infrastructure.

Ms Banerjee also announced the ministry was planning to come out with dedicated passenger corridor on the lines of Dedicated Freight Corridor.

And she appealed to the Industry to come forward with suitable proposals in this regard under PPP mode.