Railways awaiting recommendations of Debroy Committee

Indian Railways Tuesday said they are waiting for the recommendations of the Bibek Debroy Committee on mobilisation of resources and restructuring.

"This will provide consistency in policies and approach which are the key requirements to attract private sector participation and investment in railways," Manoj Sinha, minister of state for Railways said at an industry event here.

According to Sinha, who was speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) India Rail Summit here, the railways are committed to speeding up reforms in order to augment capacity, induction of new technologies and improving throughput with a view to increasing freight share and improving passenger facilities.

"The present government has adopted an industry-friendly approach with a key focus on fulfilling the transportation needs of the common masses and the country," Sinha said.

Reacting to industry concerns in regard of payment cycle crisis, the minister assured that the railways would shortly come out with measures to make the system more responsive and transparent.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Pankaj Jain, additional member, railways, outlined public private partnership (PPP) models to attract private sector investments for gauge conversion of 950 line kms at a total investment of Rs.950 crore.