MUMBAI: India has opened up its vast railway sector to private companies, allowing firms to operate trains on certain routes, in a bid to boost its stuttering, virus-hit economy. The 167-year-old train network carries 20 million passengers daily but is plagued by deadly accidents, rickety infrastructure, lack of modern amenities and poor investment.
In an announcement late Wednesday, the railway ministry said it would now permit businesses to run trains along 109 routes, inviting bids from firms weeks after New Delhi opened up coal mining to the private sector. “This is the first initiative of private investment for running passenger trains over Indian Railways network,” the ministry said in a statement. “The objective of this initiative is to introduce modern technology rolling stock with reduced maintenance, reduced transit time, boost job creation, provide enhanced safety, provide world class travel experience to passengers,” it added. The project will require an investment of $4 billion and private players will have to pay the government fixed haul charges and a percentage of profits determined during the bidding process.
In body camera video released on Thursday by the Canton Police Department, officers are seen apprehending the man
Voter turnout around the halfway mark was 39%, an Election Commission spokesperson said
The U.N. has said nearly 25 million people, half of Sudan’s population, need aid and some 8 million have fled their...
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director, Wes Ball. — HollywoodLONDON: “Kingdom of the Planet of the...
The influx of weapons could improve Kyiv’s chances of averting a major Russian breakthrough in the east
The Perlmutters gave at least $21 million to America First Action Inc in 2020