Union Government gives the green signal for 100 % Foreign Direct Investment in select projects of the Railways

(Pic Courtesy: Indian Railways) Minister of State for Railways, Mr. Manoj Sinha in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Friday, has informed the House that the Union Government has decided to permit 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in construction, operation and maintenance of: ·         Suburban corridors through Public Private Partnership (PPP). ·         High speed train projects. ·         Dedicated freight lines. ·         Rolling stock including trains sets and locomotive/coaches                        manufacturing and maintenance facilities. ·         Railway electrification. ·         Signaling system. ·         Freight terminal. ·         Passenger terminal. ·         Infrastructure in industrial park pertaining to railway line/siding. ·         Mass Rapid Transport System.  He also said that currently there are no operational projects of Suburban corridor through PPP, High speed train and Dedicated Freight Corridors. Also, Rolling Stock manufacturing and maintenance facilities, Railway Electrification, Signaling system, Freight terminals, Passenger terminals, Rail sidings in industrial parks are not separate profit centers on Indian Railways. In view of this, no revenue generation figures of the last five years are available.