Even as its unions continue to protests, the national carrier Indian Railways is gearing up with its 100-day agenda of handing over operations of two of its train to the private sector. A source privy to the development is cited in a report saying Monday that the Delhi-Tejas Express will be the first train to be run by private entities.

Furthermore, the Railway Board is considering a similar second route, which too would be within the range of 500 km. The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express has been introduced in the recently released new time table, though the train was announced 3 years ago in 2016.

After an open-bidding process for operationalisation of the train, the Tejas Express will be given over to private entities. It is one of the most awaited trains on the Delhi-Lucknow route.

Nonetheless, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will have the custody of the trains and pay for it, including its lease charges to the IRFC, the financing arm of the railways.

The IRCTC that will be handed over two trains initially to run has been asked to finalize a proposal latest by July 10 and submit it with the Railway Board after a meeting of the Member, Traffic, with officials of the Railways' tourism and catering arm on July 4.

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