Railways woo private investors for PPP infrastructure projects

In a bid to attract private investment, railways today held consultations with industry representatives to firm up PPP-model in rail infrastructure projects. "We tried to engage stakeholders on wider consutations for formulating private participation in port connectivity, wagon leasing and private freight terminals (PFT)", said a senior Railway Ministry official who participated in the investors' meet here. The meeting was attended by senior Railway Ministry officials and representatives of companies like Adani, Ultra Tech, Rewas Port, Ennor Port, Prism Cement, Coal India and Singreli. Chairman Railway Board Vinay Mittal explained the salient features of these policies and sought suggestions from he industry to prepare a roadmap for private participation in rail infrastructure projects. The meeting with the industry assumes significant as it came a fortnight before the Rail Budget 2013-14. "There were a few suggestions from the industry which will be duly incorporated, said the official. (more)