The Ministry of Railways held the second pre-application conference on private train project RfQs on 12 August 2020.
The project for private participation in passenger train operations will bring in a paradigm shift in passenger experience by significantly enhancing the quality of service while reducing transit time and supply demand deficit through introduction of modern technology rolling stock.
The project will augment the availability of transportation services for the public. These trains will be in addition to the trains already being run by the Railways. The introduction of these additional private trains is expected to boost jobs opportunities.
The private partners for undertaking the project will be selected through a two-stage competitive bidding process comprising request for qualification (RfQ) and request for proposal (RfP).
The first pre-application conference was held on 21 July 2020.
Post the first pre-application conference, the Ministry of Railways has reduced the RfQ fee by one tenth for participating in more than one project, removed restriction of up to three projects per bidder and clarified that leasing of trains is allowed.
The Ministry of Railways has also shared traffic data, draft concession agreement, draft feasibility report and draft manual for standards and specifications of trains, among others.
As part of the bidding process, the Ministry of Railways conducted the second pre-application conference which received positive response, with participation from about 23 prospective applicants with varied profiles.
The participants included Alstom Transport India, BEML, Bharat Forge, BHEL, Bombardier Transportation India, CAF India, Gateway Rail, GMR Infrastructure, Hind Rectifiers, I-Board India, IRCTC, ISQ Asia Infrastructure Investments, Jasan Infra, JKB Infrastructure, L&T Infrastructure Development Projects, Medha, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, PSGG Technologies, RK Associates & Hoteliers, Siemens, Sterlite Power and Titagarh Wagons.
Further, the applicants were advised to follow all instructions given for submission of RfQ.
The responses to the second pre-application conference will be uploaded by 21 August 2020. The date for opening of RfQ is 8 September 2020.