Dec 7, 2014

Most of the funding has to come from India itself

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Railways are a vital part of the INFRASTRUCTURE and economic landscape. There is a plan to spend $1.2 trillion on infrastructure. One hopes for economic reasons a significant part of that planned expenditure goes to railways (I think the power sector forms part of the industrial sector)

$300--600 billion over the next 10 years.

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Railways needs over $100 billion for transformation: Suresh Prabhu


    By the Times of India and PTI

Railways needs investments of over $100 billion in next 3-4 years to transform itself and the government is working on a plan to attract funds including from overseas, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu said on Saturday. 


"We want investments upward of $100 billion in next 3-4 years from multiple corners. We are gearing up for this. We are working within Indian missions overseas. We are working with ministry of finance and with all government machinery to make this happen," Prabhu said.

Speaking at 'India Economic Conclave', the railways minister said passengers are demanding tremendous improvement in railway services but the government does not have the level of funds which are required to meet that scale of investment. 



"Operating ratio of railways is very low when you compare it to US. It is 20 point less than what it is in US. We have hardly any money left to make investment in railways. .



"One thing that I am trying to do is attract huge investments in railways. I don't want to disclose the entire strategy now," Prabhu said.

The minister said he has delegated powers of procurement to general managers in railways, besides setting up a one-man panel to oversee that his decision in this regard is implemented smoothly.

"I am not going to look at any tender. I have delegated those powers to general managers and officers below them. I am going to make them accountable. Originally built in 1859, Melbourne's Southern Cross Railway station was renovated in 2005 to include an undulating roof that covers an entire city block. At the western end of the station is a colorful "History of Transport" mural. 

"I want to bring in a mix of incentive and disincentive to make it happen. I am going to incentivise good operations," Prabhu said.A giant canopy of curved glass covers the 1880s facade of France's Gare de Strasbourg, giving the station the look of a dazzling jewel from the outside.   The minister said he will focus on outcomes as part of a new strategy to transform railways.