Summary:
S Lalitha ByExpress News ServiceBENGALURU: The Prime Minister’s Office has asked the Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RIDE), the nodal agency for implementing the suburban rail project for Bengaluru, to explore the financial implications of having all train coaches funded by a private firm. This was proposed after a detailed presentation of the suburban rail project, costing Rs 18,621-crore and running 148.17-km, was made by Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav to senior government officials in New Delhi on Thursday, sources said. The Prime Minister’s Office prefers the coaches to be funded and maintained by a private firm, on the lines of the Public Private Partnership model adopted in major projects. Asked about the time frame this would entail, the official said that K-RIDE will have to send these queries to RITES for examination. They will provide them shortly and there will be good news soon on the suburban rail front.”.