For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Home ministry red flags FDI in sensitive areas of Indian railways

By Super
|

Home ministry red flags FDI in sensitive areas of Indian railways
The Home Ministry has raised objections in allowing foreign direct investment in highly - sensitive areas of the Railways sector, saying such a move may compromise security of the country's largest transportation network.

The objection came after the Commerce and Industry Ministry circulated a draft cabinet note for inter-ministerial consultations proposing 100 per cent FDI in areas such as high-speed train systems and dedicated freight lines.

 

"There should not be FDI in highly sensitive parts of the railways," a Home Ministry official said.

 

Managing passenger and freight traffic and operations of trains are considered to be the most sensitive parts of the Indian Railways.

The proposal was mooted by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

The department believes that permitting foreign investment in the cash-starved Railways would help in growth of the sector.

Railway is a critical sector for driving India's economic growth and it has the potential to raise GDP by over one per cent.

Besides high-speed train systems and dedicated freight lines, there is also a proposal to allow foreign investment in sub-urban corridors and freight lines connecting ports, mines and power installations.

According to sources, an urgent need was felt to modernise, strengthen and expand the Indian railway network which would require very large capital investments.

PTI

Story first published: Monday, July 7, 2014, 8:47 [IST]
Company Search
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X