India's Third Private Train To Run On Indore-Varanasi Route

After success of Tejas Express on Lucknow-Delhi and Mumbai-Ahmedabad routes, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is all set to introduce the third private train between Indore and Varanasi. The overnight train would have the same rakes as those of the Humsafar Express, Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav said. Yadav also said that more than two dozen firms, including global majors Bombardier, Alstom Transport, Macquarie and Siemens AG, have shown interest in the proposal.

"Tata is among the companies which have shown interest to run private trains," he added. According to officials privy to the development, the train would run three days a week - two days via Lucknow and another day via Allahabad. This would be the only such train run by the IRCTC which will have sleeper coaches, and not chair cars. The train is likely to begin its operations around February 20.

Yadav also said that while 150 trains to be run by private players is in the pipeline, till the modalities are worked out, the IRCTC will continue to operate them. In fact, the railways' move to let private companies run passenger trains has attracted more than two dozen firms, including global majors Alstom Transport, Bombardier, Siemens AG and Macquarie.

Earlier on Saturday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced more high speed trains between Mumbai-Ahmedabad will be pursued. She also said that Tejas-type trains will be run which will connect iconic tourist destinations. "More Tejas Express -type trains will be set up for tourist destinations. A governance framework for ports will be set up. It will also look at one major port and its listing on the stock exchanges," Nirmala Sitharaman said.

"Government will provide 20 per cent equity for Bengaluru Suburban Transportation Project. This will be a Rs 18,600 crore project. An allocation of Rs 1.7 lakh crore for trasport infrastructure will be provided in FY21," she added.