Railways to woo pvt players for setting up terminals at ports

"We have formulated a policy draft on rail terminals at private ports and sought suggestions from prospective investors to finalise it," a senior Railway official said.

The policy entails the framework of guidelines for development of rail terminals and associated logistics facilities for cargo handling and other value added services at privately developed ports.

Such private port terminals (PPT) will be permitted to handle all types of freight traffic transported in freight trains, container trains, privately owned special freight trains operating on Indian Railways system, as per the policy draft.

In order to encourage private participation, Railways will not levy any terminal charges on such port stations.

However, as per the draft policy, railway staff will be posted at private port terminals to carry out commercial work related to booking, cargo delivery and collection of freight charges.

The cost of railways staff will be borne by the PPT.

"Our aim is to encourage private players to come forward for setting up terminals at ports and for that we are standardising the whole procedures. Now we are seeking suggestions from the investors, if any, to give a final shape to the policy for its implementation," he said.

The last date of submitting the suggestions has been fixed at February 10.

The connectivity from the nearest suitable railhead to the port terminal will be provided as per the policy. The PPT will work round-the-clock throughout the year.