The Hindu Business Line : Rlys to allow private parties to run refrigerated containers

Railways has proposed a new container privatisation policy that would allow private companies to run refrigerated containers on rail tracks. This would be in line with Railways' move to set up agricultural product outlets at stations in cities and villages. These outlets would offer agricultural produce of farmers, seeds, agricultural equipment and fertilisers for sale. The outlets would help develop an effective supply chain for agriculture products.

The Railways would invite private parties to run refrigerated containers to move agricultural products as per a new container policy, stated Mr Lalu Prasad in the Lok Sabha. The Railway land in larger cities can be used to develop infrastructure such as warehouses and distribution outlets to improve the supply chain, he said.

Meanwhile, the Railways model concession agreement for private container operators is close to finalisation, said a top ministry official. Railways has agreed to change the haulage charges for containers once every year - during the budget only, he said. However, Railways would not be able to provide any transit time guarantees to the operators.

Additionally, Railways is also likely to allow the operators to get their rolling stock maintained by third parties . Initially, Railways had mandated maintenance of private operators' rolling stock at its workshops at certain charges.

Railways also proposes to include a provision wherein it would return the registration fees of the respective operators in case they are unable to operate owing to some political risk like change in policy.

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