New Delhi:Indian Railways worked out strict conditions for private train operators in its draft Concession Agreement to run private trains in the coming years.
From ensuring 95 per cent punctuality every year, installation or facilities like sliding doors, alarm system, coach surveillance, braille signs, Indian Railways has on Thursday asked the operators to fulfil these criteria in the second pre-bid meeting. As many as 23 firms showed interest to run private trains in the meeting.
According to the draft concession agreement, shared during the meeting, private operators have to guarantee at least 95 per cent of punctuality rate every year or have to pay a heavy penalty to the national transporter, paying extra haulage charge worth 200 km of train operation. The haulage charge of private trains is Rs 512 per km. However, in the situation like cattle or human run-over, agitation, bad weather, private operators won't have to pay the penalty.
Along with this, private trains will have to be designed in a way to operate at a maximum service speed of 160 kmph and can even reach to 180 kmph during testing. These trains shall be capable of accelerating of 160 kmph from 0 kmph in 140 seconds at maximum and it should be fitted with emergency brakes which can bring the train to a standstill in less than 1,250 meters when it is running on the maximum speed.
Railways will also depute it's representatives to the project offices of private operators, in order to 'satisfy' itself that the firms are reporting the Gross Revenue 'honestly' and 'faithfully'.
It further explained, "If the Gross revenue is more than the amount reported by concessionaire by more than 1% thereof, the difference between such amount reported by the concessionaire and the gross revenue, shall be multiplied by 10 and the product will be paid as damages to the government."