New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee
today invited investment from the private sector as also from
the states in building infrastructure on public-private-
partnership basis.
Replying to a debate on the Appropriation Bill for the
Railways, which was returned by the Rajya Sabha, she said the
Railways, which has pending projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore, is
short of funds.
The minister said while she would be "the last person to
privatise the Railways," industry`s participation was needed
for creating infastructure like coaches and rakes.
She asked the states to come forward and participate in
the wagon building.
Banerjee said while comparisons are made between the
Railways and the airports, they are misplaced.
"We need colorful trains, coaches like airports. But the
railways cannot be compared to airports. It carries 1.8
million passengers every day," she said.
Supporting the policy of PPP, she said the Railways would
not lose its assets while additional business and
infrastructure is generated. The industry also gains because
it gets a readymade business model along with land.
She said the Railways had to bear additional post-budget
burden of Rs 885 crore because of increase in the fuel prices
and other levies.
Besides, it had to bear losses of Rs 500 crore because of
the Naxal violence and bandhs. It is suffering losses of Rs
four crore a day only because of agitation against illegal
mining in Orissa.
She said the Railways has issued notification for filling
up 29,000 vacancies.
The demands for grants were passed by voice-vote in the
Lok Sabha yesterday.
PTI
